State Department Issues Security Alert After Heavy Gunfire Near US Embassy in Haiti

U.S. Embassy in Haiti Issues Alert Amid Heavy Gunfire and Security Operations

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti issued an urgent security alert to American citizens on Saturday, warning of ongoing security operations and heavy gunfire in areas north and south of the embassy, as well as in Croix-de-Bouquets.

The Department of State reported that the intensity of gunfire has prompted U.S. government personnel to halt all movements in the affected areas. While the embassy remains open for emergency services, officials strongly urged U.S. citizens to avoid these areas and to stay informed by monitoring local media for updates.

This latest outbreak of violence underscores the deteriorating security situation in Haiti, where armed gangs control large portions of Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions, according to both the U.S. State Department and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

Croix-de-Bouquets, specifically mentioned in Saturday’s alert, has long been a stronghold of the notorious “400 Mawozo” gang. The group gained international attention in 2021 after kidnapping 16 American citizens, including five children, who were working with the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries. The victims were abducted while returning from an orphanage.

The gang’s leader, Joly Germine, 34, was sentenced to life imprisonment in December for his role in that high-profile kidnapping. The case highlighted the extreme danger posed by Haiti’s increasingly powerful criminal organizations.

Haiti’s security crisis has been escalating for years, with gangs now controlling approximately 80 percent of Port-au-Prince. The violence has displaced more than 360,000 people nationwide, according to United Nations estimates. Gang members routinely engage in kidnappings, extortion, and indiscriminate killings, creating a climate of fear throughout much of the country.

The State Department currently maintains its highest travel advisory level—Level 4 “Do Not Travel”—for Haiti. The advisory cites multiple serious concerns including kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited healthcare infrastructure.

This latest security incident comes amid broader international efforts to restore stability in Haiti. In March, Kenya deployed the first contingent of a multinational security force authorized by the United Nations to help combat gang violence. The United States has pledged $300 million to support this mission.

Earlier this year, after widespread gang violence forced the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Haiti established a transitional presidential council with international backing. The council’s primary mandate is to restore security and prepare the country for long-overdue elections, though progress has been limited.

For Americans in Haiti, the security situation remains precarious. In recent months, U.S. Marines stationed at the embassy have exchanged gunfire with suspected gang members on multiple occasions. The State Department has repeatedly facilitated the departure of non-essential embassy staff and family members, while warning U.S. citizens against travel to the country.

Humanitarian organizations continue to report extreme challenges in delivering aid. Several major hospitals have been forced to close or severely limit operations due to violence and lack of supplies, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.

The current violence represents one of the most severe crises Haiti has faced in recent years, with no clear resolution in sight as armed groups continue to exploit political instability and weak governance structures.