PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s international airport was forced to close on Monday after gunmen opened fire on a Spirit Airlines flight attempting to land in Port-au-Prince. The attack, which left a flight attendant with minor injuries, triggered a wave of flight cancellations and intensified unrest in the capital. The shooting was reportedly part of a broader effort by armed gangs to disrupt transportation networks and intensify their control over the country.
En route from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the flight was only a few hundred feet from touching down when it came under fire. The incident prompted the plane to be diverted to the Dominican Republic. Photos from the plane revealed bullet holes inside the cabin, while the U.S. Embassy described the attack as part of gang efforts to halt movement to and from the capital. In response, several airlines, including Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines, suspended flights to Haiti.
Meanwhile, in other parts of Port-au-Prince, gunfights erupted between gangs and police, sending residents fleeing in fear. Gangs also set fire to properties in wealthier neighborhoods, while schools and businesses closed as violence spread.
This turmoil follows the swearing-in of Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as Haiti’s new interim prime minister, replacing Garry Conille, who was ousted by a council tasked with stabilizing the country. The council’s decision has sparked controversy, as it’s been marred by internal division and allegations of corruption. Despite this, Fils-Aimé, a businessman, has vowed to restore peace and oversee elections, which have not been held since 2016.
Addressing the nation, Fils-Aimé promised to work tirelessly to end the chaos and restore hope to the people, acknowledging the widespread suffering caused by the ongoing violence and instability.
The crisis in Haiti continues to deepen as gang violence surges, with many analysts blaming political infighting for allowing armed groups to expand their reach. The U.N. estimates that gangs now control around 85% of Port-au-Prince, and insufficient resources have hampered efforts to curb their influence through peacekeeping missions.
Haitian peace organizations are sounding alarms that the political gridlock is only empowering gangs, resulting in more deaths, displacements, and food shortages in a country already facing severe poverty and hunger.
The transitional council, formed to restore democratic order after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, has been unable to break the deadlock. It remains unclear if the new prime minister can steer Haiti toward peace, but with gang violence at an all-time high, the road ahead looks uncertain.
In response to the political turmoil, the U.N. has urged all parties to prioritize Haiti’s needs over political differences, but achieving stability remains a daunting challenge.
