Haiti is facing a severe crisis as gang violence escalates, particularly in Port-au-Prince, pushing the nation to its limits. A recent UN report highlights a 50% increase in deaths across the country, exacerbated by gangs that have recently formed alliances to target the unelected government more aggressively. Amidst this turmoil, Cap-Haïtien, also known as Okap and the nation's former capital, is emerging as a potential de facto capital as gangs lay siege to the current capital. The city, historically significant and once known as the 'Paris of the Antilles,' is witnessing a resurgence as businesses, state ceremonies, and residents relocate there seeking safety. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that Haiti's main international airport has been closed for over a month, further isolating the country.
With rampant insecurity and violence driven by political and gang conflicts that have significantly worsened following two massive jailbreaks we are calling on the Biden administration to REDESIGNATE #TPSforHaiti https://t.co/mezmbaudut
What happens in Haiti “is deeply consequential to the U.S. and its security.” From @AndresViglucci @MiamiHerald https://t.co/j2IxryTN7B
The people of Haiti have suffered long enough. We must move with urgency and compassion as we work to stabilize Haiti, support the diaspora, and work toward the just future that the Haitian people deserve. https://t.co/SZIoIv4End
Business owners, anxious parents and even historic state ceremonies have been relocating to Cap-Haïtien, and that began even before gangs started attacking key government infrastructure in Port-au-Prince in late February. https://t.co/d1F2rNHSrv
Haitians scramble to survive, seeking food, water and safety as gang violence chokes the capital (from @AP) By @danicacoto & photos from @AP_respinosa https://t.co/Rpla5yuS0r
Haitians scramble to survive, seeking food, water and safety as gang violence chokes the capital https://t.co/XAwinAavUi
Haiti’s main international airport has been closed for more than a month now. Gangs are still on a rampage. What is life like in Port-au-Prince now? Photographer @AP_respinosa and I arrived a few days ago. This is what we found: https://t.co/Nvid43UkcT
Life in Port-au-Prince has become a game of survival, pushing Haitians to new limits as they scramble to stay safe and alive while gangs overwhelm the police and the government remains largely absent: https://t.co/hIQJP4VJzB
“They call it Okap, home to Haiti’s kings, emancipated slaves and revolutionaries.” Haiti's former capital seeks to revive its hey-day as gang violence consumes Port-au-Prince (from @AP) By @danicacoto & photos from @AP_respinosa https://t.co/pv2o1l0R20
Haiti's former capital seeks to revive its hey-day as gang violence consumes Port-au-Prince https://t.co/OGq5QXeKOH
A dispatch from Cap-Haïtien, home to Haiti’s kings, emancipated slaves and revolutionaries. Once known as the Paris of the Antilles, it's on the brink of becoming what some say is Haiti’s de facto capital as gangs lay siege to Port-au-Prince: https://t.co/BpGJl4IOX7
Haiti's former capital seeks to revive its hey-day as gang violence consumes Port-au-Prince (from @AP) By @danicacoto https://t.co/pv2o1l0R20
A UN report on Haiti has logged a 50% increase in deaths in the country. Long plagued by gangs, several of them recently allied to target the unelected government more directly. https://t.co/sX2ZnexKzl