Haitian Government Declares State of Emergency, Curfew Enforced until Wednesday

JAKARTA - The Haitian government declared a state of emergency on Sunday evening, following violent clashes in the capital that have paralyzed communications, led to two prison breaks as a major gang leader attempted to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

To restore order, the government immediately imposed a curfew across the Western region for a "renewable period of seventy-two hours," the statement said.

"Between six in the afternoon and five in the morning on Monday the 4th, Tuesday the 5th, Wednesday the 6th, the curfew will apply," said the statement, reported by Reuters, March 4.

Law enforcement, firefighters, ambulance drivers, healthcare workers, and identified journalists do not have to comply with the curfew, the statement added.

The emergency decree follows a dramatic increase in violence over the weekend that has damaged parts of the capital, paralyzed communications, and led to two escapes from prisons, including one of the country's largest prisons.

The head of Digicel, the Caribbean nation's main telecommunications provider, said communications lines had been affected following days of street violence in parts of the capital.

Field teams on Sunday afternoon managed to fully restore the connection, Digicel Chief Maarten Boute said in a post on X.

The violent attacks have caused panic in recent days after gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer, called on criminal groups to unite and overthrow PM Henry. Cherizier leads a gang alliance and faces sanctions from the UN and the United States.

Armed groups on Saturday night attacked the country's largest prison, defying Haitian police forces who had requested help.

It is unclear how many inmates escaped. Sources close to the agency say it is likely that its members will be in the majority.

The penitentiary was built to accommodate 700 prisoners. However, it housed around 3,687 prisoners in February last year, according to human rights group RNDDH.

A volunteer prison worker said Sunday that 99 prisoners chose to remain in their cells for fear of being killed in the crossfire. This includes several retired Colombian soldiers who were jailed for their alleged involvement in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

Previously, Cherizier had warned local residents to keep children out of school to “avoid additional harm” as violence escalated during the prime minister's absence.

Nearly 15,000 people were forced to flee their homes in recent days, and 10 sites hosting refugees were vacated over the weekend, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM).

It is known that PM Henry, who came to power in 2021 after the assassination of President Moïse, previously promised to step down in early February. He then said security must first be re-established to guarantee free and fair elections.