As armed gangs showed off their might by attacking a commercial airliner that was trying to land in the capital, Haiti’s new temporary leader, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, assumed office and promised to increase security.
Over the weekend, the transitional council of the Caribbean Island nation named Fils-Aime to replace Garry Conille, who held the position for just six months.
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Amidst a profound political and social crisis characterized by increasing hunger and regular outbreaks of furious gangland violence, the council and the new prime minister are entrusted with preparing for the long-delayed elections.
In front of ambassadors and guests in a packed room at the prime minister’s official office, Villa d’Accueil, Fils-Aime stated, “Obviously, the first unavoidable challenge is the reinstatement of security.”
About regions under the grip of strong gangs, he emphasized, “Security of the people, security of the goods and infrastructures. Food security and freedom of movement across the entire national territory.”
Fils-Aime is the son of prominent Haitian activist Alix Fils-Aime, who was imprisoned during the tenure of former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, who governed from 1971 until he was deposed in a popular revolt in 1986.
According to a news source, a Spirit Airlines aircraft to the capital Port-au-Prince was hit by gunfire earlier, causing the airplane to divert to the nearby Dominican Republic and wounding a flight attendant who was grazed by a bullet.
The gangs that control essential roads and other infrastructure, as well as the majority of the capital, are being held responsible for the most recent outburst of violence. Fils-Aime called the gangs “bandits” in his address, and they have frequently targeted Toussaint Louverture International Airport.
Spirit SAVE.N acknowledged in a statement that the aircraft was damaged but that none of the passengers were hurt.
A gunshot struck an overhead container across the aisle and entered the back escape door, according to a video that went viral on social media. The body responsible for releasing the video was unable to confirm the video’s legitimacy right away.
The U.S. embassy in Haiti has issued travel advice, halting all flights into and out of the airport.
The embassy further stated that it “is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may contain armed violence, as well as disruptions to ports, airports, and roads.”
As the security situation has gotten worse, armed gangs in Haiti’s capital have been shooting at airplanes in recent weeks. A U.N. helicopter was struck by gunfire above Port-au-Prince last month.
