U.S. airlifts embassy staff from Haiti amid gang violence surge

The United States military undertook an overnight operation from Saturday into Sunday to evacuate American personnel via airlift from the U.S. Embassy in Haiti as violence continues to surge in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and across the nation, revealed U.S. Southern Command in a statement issued on Sunday. The operation, bolstered by additional security measures, was carried out in response to heightened security concerns.

Responding to a request from the Department of State, the U.S. military orchestrated the operation to reinforce security at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, sustain embassy operations, and facilitate the departure of non-essential personnel, as stated by U.S. Southern Command in correspondence with CBS News on Sunday morning.

The evacuation of U.S. personnel to and from the embassy via airlift aligns with standard military protocols aimed at enhancing security measures at embassies worldwide, affirmed the statement. Notably, no Haitian nationals were included in the airlift operations conducted by the military.

Emphasizing the ongoing commitment to supporting the Haitian populace, the southern command articulated the embassy’s dedication to advancing U.S. government initiatives, including bolstering assistance to the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission authorized by the United Nations, and facilitating a peaceful transition of power through democratic elections.

In response to the escalating gang violence near U.S. embassy compounds and the airport, the embassy in Haiti confirmed its operational status, stating that additional personnel were departing due to heightened security concerns. The State Department, continuously evaluating security conditions, adapts embassy and consulate postures worldwide in accordance with evolving circumstances.

Meanwhile, amid the escalating security crisis in Haiti, the German foreign ministry disclosed the departure of its ambassador and other European Union representatives to the Dominican Republic on Sunday, as reported by AFP. The decision was prompted by the tense security situation in Haiti, necessitating the relocation of diplomatic personnel until further notice.

Haiti’s longstanding struggle with political unrest and rampant gang violence has reached a critical juncture, with recent events highlighting the urgency of the situation. In response to the escalating violence, Caribbean leaders have convened an emergency meeting scheduled for March 11 in Jamaica, aiming to address Haiti’s dire circumstances. Key international stakeholders, including the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations, and Brazil, have been invited to participate in the deliberations to formulate effective strategies to mitigate the crisis.