Recent images of violence and chaos in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, demonstrate the alarming situation prevailing in the country. Intruders entered a major port terminal last Thursday, even as violence escalated following the government’s extension of a state of emergency.
The unrest particularly affected the Caribbean Port Services (CPS) terminal, a major player in the food supply chain in Haiti. Hundreds of people gathered around the site, some entering the enclosed warehouse. Exclusive satellite images from Airbus show debris littering the port terminal area, illustrating the violence taking place.
At the same time, barricades erected by gangs and local residents obstruct traffic on the main streets of Port-au-Prince, even cutting off access to certain areas. These blockades are making it difficult for humanitarian organizations to distribute essential supplies, while thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes due to coordinated gang attacks.
The current crisis has also undermined the Haitian health system, causing the near paralysis of medical services. Most hospitals have closed their doors, while the lack of oxygen and water seriously affects the care provided. Doctors find themselves helpless in the face of this disastrous situation.
Faced with this spiral of violence, calls for a political transition are being heard. The United States is urging Prime Minister Ariel Henry to pave the way for political change, hoping to stem the crisis shaking the country.
In summary, the images of violence and disorder in Port-au-Prince demonstrate a very serious situation in Haiti, where the population suffers from the horrors of violence and political instability. There is an urgent need to act to bring peace and stability to this conflict-ridden country.