Armed Attacks in Haiti: Several Hundred Prisoners Escape from Capital Prison

Several hundred prisoners have escaped from a prison in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, following armed attacks by gangs, according to reports from Gazette Haiti and CNN.

All staff members with vehicles and weapons have been asked to assist the police in combating armed gangs in Port-au-Prince. Former police officer and local gang leader Jimmy Chérizier has called on the police to arrest Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry to "liberate the country."

The escalation of violence comes as Henry is visiting Kenya. According to a CNN source, since Thursday, several attacks have been carried out on police stations, resulting in at least four fatalities.

Henry came to power following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. He had stated he would leave office in February 2024, but last Thursday mentioned that elections would be held by the end of August 2025.