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The U.S. Embassy in Haiti recently issued an urgent warning to its citizens to leave the country "as soon as possible" due to the serious deterioration of security amid a wave of armed violence that has left thousands dead and more than a million displaced.
“Do not travel to Haiti. If you are a US citizen in Haiti: Leave Haiti lor as soon as possible by commercial or private means of transport,” the diplomatic headquarters wrote on its official Facebook account.
The warning comes amid an unprecedented humanitarian and security crisis, where armed gangs have seized control of several areas of the country and acts of extreme violence are constantly being reported, especially in the capital and its surrounding areas.
Safety recommendations
In its statement, the embassy asked U.S. citizens to:
- Avoid crowds, demonstrations or riot zones.
- Monitor local media to stay abreast of the evolving situation.
- Consider the use of private or commercial flights, although he warned that these also present significant risks.
Furthermore, the diplomatic legation reiterated that The U.S. Government does not endorse or guarantee the safety of private or commercial flights., and that citizens should exercise caution when using them.
"These flights carry potential risks that citizens should be aware of before boarding," the embassy emphasized.
Limited flights and air restrictions
According to the notice, some regular commercial flights have been reestablished between Cap-Haitien International Airport (north) and other terminals within the country, such as Antoine Simon Airport in Les Cayes (south) and the Guy Malary Domestic Terminal in Port-au-Prince (west). However, U.S. government personnel have Travel to or from Port-au-Prince on commercial flights is prohibited, due to restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Escalating violence and humanitarian crisis
According to data from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, at least 2,680 people died between January and May 2025 due to armed violence in Haiti. The country is experiencing a severe internal displacement crisis, with more than 1.3 million people forced to flee their homes, more than half of them minors.
Armed groups have increased their territorial control, causing the collapse of state institutions and the paralysis of basic services. Fears of an undeclared civil war have raised alarm bells in the international community.
The United States, like other Western embassies, has strengthened its travel warnings and expulsion orders, as extreme insecurity persists throughout much of Haiti. The warning underscores the gravity of the current situation and the urgent need for a coordinated international solution to prevent a further humanitarian collapse in the Caribbean nation.
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