Swiss foreign ministry warns against travel to Haiti
The Swiss foreign ministry advised against travelling to Haiti on Thursday due to the precarious security situation. Switzerland has no further means of providing assistance in emergencies, it added.
According to the Swiss foreign ministry, the current state structures in the poorest country in the western hemisphere are unable to guarantee security. The development of the situation is “highly uncertain”.
The number of criminal kidnappings and other violent crimes is prevalent throughout the country and particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Police support cannot be counted on. The situation is dangerous for both locals and foreign nationals.
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The Swiss foreign ministry has previously advised against travelling to Haiti. Switzerland has no diplomatic representations in Haiti, but does have one in neighbouring Dominican Republic.
Situation is out of control
Haiti is sinking into chaos: Since last week, a coalition of various brutal gangs has been strategically attacking important infrastructure such as the airports, the police academy and prisons. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, more than 4,500 prisoners, including known gang members, have escaped from prisons during the course of the attacks.
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Meanwhile, according to a United Nations estimate, the gangs control around 80% of Port-au-Prince. According to a report in the Swiss newspaper Le Nouvelliste, the leader of the gang coalition founded at the end of February, former police officer, Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, recently warned of a civil war if interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry does not step down and if the international community continues its support of Henry.
Adapted from German by DeepL/amva
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