The Haitian government extended its state of emergency after intruders stormed into a key port facility on Thursday, March 7, adding to the escalating violence in the nation.
Officials in Haiti's capital and the West Region have decided to keep the state of emergency in place until April 3. Also, the curfew will now be in effect until March 10.
This comes after two security sources informed CNN that the Caribbean Port Services (CPS) terminal in Port-au-Prince was broken into at around 8 AM local time on Thursday.
The terminal is a key link in Haiti's food import supply chain. The unknown assailants allegedly made their way to the guarded warehouse section of the facility, where a large number of containers were stored.
The insider said that the port is still experiencing turmoil.
(Photo: RICHARD PIERRIN / AFP via Getty Images)
Breach at Vital Port Facility
On Thursday, CNN described the footage from the port, where swarms of people milled around the location, with dozens of individuals allegedly gaining entry to the secured warehouse.
The media reporter was able to see exclusive satellite images from Airbus that showed people entering via a street entrance. One satellite picture taken by Airbus shows a large quantity of debris, which depicts the container port terminal area.
Another photo was captured showing a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle (MRAP) belonging to the Haitian National Police parked on a main route. According to an insider, the MRAP was strategically placed to stop gang leader Jimmy Cherizier from extending their attacks, especially toward the airport route.
On the other hand, satellite photographs reveal blockades built by both people and gangs along main streets in Port-au-Prince, effectively isolating whole districts.
Gang leader Cherizier has said that the recent spate of coordinated assaults against governmental institutions and police enforcement in Port-au-Prince is an effort to depose Prime Minister Ariel Henry's administration.
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Chaos Hurting Innocents
Gang violence in Haiti has already displaced almost 300,000 people, and the recent instability has added tens of thousands more.
Additionally, it is influencing how humanitarian groups distribute vital supplies. As a result of the unrest, the World Food Programme halted the distribution of supplies from Port-au-Prince via its sea transport services.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said this week that 22 assistance trucks, loaded with food, medicine, and equipment, are now stranded at the Port-au-Prince port.
OCHA representative Stephane Dujarric said that maritime channels remain the only means of conveying humanitarian and development help, notably food and medical supplies, from Port-au-Prince to the rest of the nation.
