Violence in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince has been escalating again since the end of February. Armed gangs control a large part of the city, such as important transportation routes and parts of the international airport. Prisons have also been stormed and many inmates have managed to escape. As a result, stores and schools remain closed and thousands of people are fleeing to other regions. In view of the escalation of violence, the government has imposed a state of emergency and a night-time curfew. The main reason for the uprisings is primarily the current political situation: since the murder of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, the country has been ruled by Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was not elected by the public. He recently promised to organize elections by August 2025 at the latest. Haiti's two largest gangs have joined forces and are demanding the resignation of the prime minister - they do not hesitate to attack the civilian population and use physical, psychological and sexual violence as an instrument of power.
