UK warns against all travel to Haiti as violence continues

Gang members in Port-au-Prince (Odelyn Joseph/AP)

The UK Government is warning against all travel to Haiti amid intense fighting and spiralling gang violence in the Caribbean country.

Attacks on key government targets across the capital, Port-au-Prince, began on February 29, orchestrated by powerful gangs pushing for Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s removal.

There are no British consular officials in the country as embassy staff relocated to the neighbouring Dominican Republic in November 2019.

Consular assistance from the embassy is “severely limited” and “cannot be delivered in person” in Haiti, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said.

A message on its website reads: “FCDO advises against all travel to Haiti due to the volatile security situation.”

Haiti: The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them.
The U.S. Embassy’s ability to… pic.twitter.com/YWA3vudl6v
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) March 10, 2024

Gunmen have burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the country’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Many people have been killed, and more than 15,000 people are homeless after escaping neighbourhoods raided by gangs.

The United States says it has airlifted non-essential embassy staff from Port-au-Prince.

Mr Henry remains locked out of his country, landing in Puerto Rico last week after being denied entry into the Dominican Republic.

When the attacks began, Mr Henry was in Kenya pushing for the UN-backed deployment of a police force from the east African country that has been delayed by a court ruling.

A growing number of people are demanding the resignation of Mr Henry, who has not issued any public comment since the attacks began.