After the raids on two prisons by gangs demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Haiti, approximately 4,000 prisoners, including gang members imprisoned for their affiliation with the death of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in 2021, escaped. Acting Prime Minister and Haitian Minister of Economy and Finance Patrick Boisvert said that instructions were issued to use all legal means to catch the criminals. A 72-hour state of emergency and curfew were declared throughout the country.
‘Barbacue’ nicknamed gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, also a former police officer, claimed responsibility for the attacks and said that their aim was to capture the Haitian police chief and government ministers and prevent Prime Minister Henry, who is currently abroad, from returning to the country.
Twelve people have died since the clashes began on Saturday.