US Marines Exchange Fire with Haitian Gangs Amid Escalating Violence in Port-au-Prince
US Marines exchanged fire with suspected Haitian gang members protecting the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince, amidst severe gang violence and political instability gripping the capital.
Overview
US Marines engaged in a firefight with suspected Haitian gang members while protecting the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince, with no reported injuries to American forces.
Haitian gangs currently control approximately 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, engaging in extortion, territorial disputes, and clashes with heavy weaponry.
The escalating gang violence has displaced over 1.3 million people from their homes across Haiti, contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis.
Haiti's security situation has significantly deteriorated since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, creating a power vacuum and political instability.
The United Nations Security Council recently approved a 5,500-troop international force to help combat the heavily armed criminal groups plaguing the nation.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the incident involving US Marines and providing extensive, well-sourced background on Haiti's security crisis. They use official statements and statistics from the UN and State Department to contextualize the situation without employing loaded language or selective emphasis, maintaining an objective tone throughout the report.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The Marines were supporting embassy security operations when they were fired upon by suspected gang members, prompting them to return fire to protect the embassy.
Haitian gangs currently control approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince, engaging in extortion, territorial disputes, and armed clashes, which have led to severe gang violence and displacement of over 1.3 million people.
The security situation has deteriorated significantly since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, creating a power vacuum and political instability in the country.
The United Nations Security Council approved a 5,500-troop international force to help combat heavily armed criminal groups, and a Kenyan police-led mission has been backed by the UN, although it faces criticism for being understaffed and underfunded.
Since 2024, US Marines have been deployed as a fleet anti-terrorism security team to the embassy in Port-au-Prince to strengthen its defenses amid violence; additionally, US Southern Command supports Haiti with airlift and logistical missions as part of multinational security efforts.
History
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