US Embassy in Haiti evacuated as gang violence escalates

The situation in Haiti seems to be worsening by the hour as armed gangs with organized leadership attempt to seize control of the country.

According to The Hill, at the request of the State Department, the U.S. military began evacuations of some of the personnel stationed at the American Embassy in Haiti over the weekend.

It was noted in a statement that the embassy is still open; however, some personnel were evacuated as a result of violent clashes erupting in neighborhoods close to the embassy's location.

"The U.S. Embassy in Haiti remains open. Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near U.S. embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Department’s decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel. All arriving and departing passengers work for the U.S. government."

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti remains open. Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near U.S. embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Department's decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel. All arriving and departing passengers work…

— U.S. Embassy Haiti (@USEmbassyHaiti) March 10, 2024

The statement added, "The State Department continually adjusts its posture at U.S. embassies and consulates throughout the world in line with its mission, the local security environment, and the health situation, as pertinent."

Notably, family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency employees had been evacuated last summer for similar reasons.

According to Fox News, U.S. Southern Command received the orders to launch the airlift evacuation of some of the embassy's personnel.

Fox News noted:

U.S. Southern Command said non-essential personnel were airlifted, and no Haitians were on board the aircraft. Nonessential personnel can include the families of diplomats, but the embassy had already ordered departure for nonessential staff and all family members in July.

U.S. Southern Command issued a statement regarding the deteriorating situation.

"Our Embassy remains focused on advancing U.S. government efforts to support the Haitian people, including mobilizing support for the Haitian National Police, expediting the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and accelerating a peaceful transition of power via free and fair elections," Southcom's statement read.

In recent weeks, armed roving gangs have outmatched and outgunned Haitian police and military forces.

Many experts believe that a reinforcement mission, led by Kenya, will not be adequate to control the violence, causing others to question whether or not the United States will deploy troops to assist.

So far, the Pentagon has affirmed that it will not commit U.S. troops to Haiti, although some believe that could change if the violence continues to escalate.