Haiti’s main international airport in Port-au-Prince was forced to close on Monday after gang violence erupted, with shots fired at a Spirit Airlines commercial flight attempting to land. The escalating violence led several airlines, including Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines, to suspend flights to and from the country temporarily. The turmoil occurred just as Haiti swore in Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as its new interim prime minister, who pledged to restore order in the conflict-ridden nation.
The flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was just moments from landing when armed groups opened fire, striking a flight attendant who sustained minor injuries. The flight, carrying passengers to Haiti’s capital, was rerouted to the Dominican Republic after gunfire damaged the aircraft’s interior, with images of bullet holes quickly circulating on social media.
The U.S. Embassy attributed the attack to “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince,” part of an ongoing campaign of armed disruptions impacting travel routes, seaports, and airports. The violence further intensified as gangs engaged in firefights with police in various parts of the capital, prompting panic and school closures as civilians scrambled for safety.
The unrest comes a day after Haiti’s transitional council ousted interim prime minister Garry Conille, replacing him with Fils-Aimé. The new interim leader acknowledged Haiti's severe challenges as he took office, pledging to work towards restoring peace and organizing long-overdue elections. "There is a lot to be done to bring back hope," Fils-Aimé said in his inaugural address, emphasizing the urgent need for stability amid fears of escalating violence and displacement.
Observers warn that Haiti’s political turmoil, worsened by gang violence, has placed the country in a state of chronic crisis. With an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince under gang control, the United Nations is exploring additional measures to assist the Haitian government. A U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police was deployed to help restore order but is struggling with limited resources and personnel.
“This political infighting has allowed gangs more freedom to expand their control of Port-au-Prince, which spells disaster for civilians,” warned Louis-Henri Mars, director of the peace organization Lakou Lapè. “More lives will be lost, and displacement and hunger will grow in a country where nearly half of the population is already facing starvation.”
In April, Haiti’s transitional council was formed to stabilize the nation and organize elections. Yet it has been marred by internal conflicts and corruption accusations, with former interim prime minister Conille labeling his dismissal “an illegal overreach.” International bodies like the Organization of American States have attempted to mediate, but their efforts have faltered amid a lack of unity.
On Monday, U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric urged Haitian leaders to “work constructively together” and prioritize the nation’s well-being over political divisions.
As the country grapples with a crisis on multiple fronts, the stakes are high for the new interim leadership to bring order and pave a path toward democratic elections. For now, however, daily life remains overshadowed by violence, displacement, and uncertainty.