Amid a renewed surge of violence in Haiti this week, armed gangs were reported to have looted the country’s national library in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The library’s director expressed concern over the safety of the rare documents, some over 200 years old, that hold significant importance to Haiti's heritage. The looting of the library follows recent assaults on educational and artistic institutions in the city, drawing condemnation from UNESCO.
Security expert Eric Jergenson highlighted that criminal gangs often carry out such attacks to intimidate or gain political leverage. The recent violence in Haiti has led to a mass exodus from the capital, with over 53,000 people fleeing to escape the escalating gang violence. The majority of those fleeing are heading to Haiti's rural southern region, which is already hosting a significant number of displaced individuals.
The violence in Haiti, which has resulted in over 1,500 reported deaths and left thousands homeless, prompted Prime Minister Ariel Henry to announce his resignation once a transitional presidential council is established. The transitional council, tasked with selecting a new prime minister and council of ministers, is yet to be formed.
The attacks on government institutions, including police stations and prisons, have further destabilized the country. The situation has forced international intervention efforts, with Prime Minister Henry seeking support for a U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from Kenya.
