Port-au-Prince Faces Escalating Violence Amid Political Transition

In a recent interview conducted in Port-au-Prince, Prime Minister Ariel Conille continued despite the sound of gunfire, a common occurrence in the troubled Haitian capital. Following the interview, which took place at the General Hospital—once a key public health facility now marred by gang violence—Conille and the CNN team were escorted away amid further gunfire. The Haitian National Police and the MSS Force later intervened to secure the area, which has seen critical infrastructure, including the international airport and seaport, come under attack from gangs, disrupting essential food and aid supplies. The General Hospital, reclaimed from gang control earlier this summer, remains in a precarious state, surrounded by a largely abandoned and dangerous neighborhood. The convoy transporting Conille included a significant security presence, featuring armed Haitian and Kenyan police, underscoring the ongoing threats faced by government officials in the region. Since his appointment in May, Conille has been tasked with steering Haiti through a transitional government phase aimed at restoring order and preparing for future elections. However, the situation in Port-au-Prince remains dire, with the city largely isolated and nearly 5 million Haitians experiencing acute food insecurity, a condition that poses immediate risks to their lives and livelihoods. In late June, the long-anticipated Kenyan-led MSS mission began its deployment to assist local police in combating the rampant gang violence. This situation continues to evolve, with further updates expected as the crisis unfolds.