In recent days, Haiti has been besieged by violent attacks from increasingly powerful gangs, resulting in the closure of businesses and schools as hundreds of people flee the chaos. The capital, Port-au-Prince, is reportedly under the control of these gangs, with the United Nations estimating their dominance at around 80%. The situation escalated as Prime Minister Ariel Henry traveled to Kenya to seek support for a U.N.-backed police force to combat the gangs.

The recent attacks, including the storming of prisons and the airport, have left the government forces overwhelmed, unable to respond effectively. Frantz Elbé, the director of the National Police, described the city center as being in a state of war. To address the violence, government officials have imposed a three-day nightly curfew, with residents already staying indoors at night for their safety.

The responsibility for these attacks lies with prominent gang leaders such as Jimmy Chérizier, also known as "Barbecue," who declared intentions to capture key government figures. Other gang leaders like Johnson André, known as "Izo," have also been implicated in recent violence, highlighting the fluid nature of gang alliances.

The rise of these gangs in Haiti can be attributed to factors such as the proliferation of firearms, ransom payments, and the weakened state institutions unable to contain them. The gangs' access to high-caliber weapons has significantly enhanced their military capabilities, exacerbating the challenges faced by the government.

In response to the crisis, the government has declared a state of emergency and imposed an evening curfew to regain control of the situation. Acting Prime Minister Patrick Boivert emphasized the use of all legal means by the police to enforce the curfew and apprehend offenders.