Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry confirmed an assassination attempt during national day celebrations, citing a bullet hole in his armored vehicle's windshield as evidence. The incident occurred in Gonaives, where Haiti's independence was declared over two centuries ago, during clashes between police and armed groups.
Henry, who has led Haiti since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, stated, "An attempt has been made against me personally. My life has been put in the crosshairs." He emphasized that Haitian forces must restore security, saying, "With our men, with the police, we are going to get there, we have to get there."
The country faces escalating violence, with 950 kidnappings recorded in 2021 alone. Gangs like 400 Mawozo have targeted foreigners and locals, including the recent release of 17 North Americans kidnapped in 2021. Political paralysis and natural disasters compound the crisis, including the 2010 earthquake that killed over 220,000 people and left lasting damage.
Recent violence includes a jailbreak in February 2022 that killed 25 people and a January 2022 clash at a second-largest jail that claimed 11 lives. International efforts to stabilize Haiti remain limited, with Henry rejecting foreign troop deployments but acknowledging the need for training and equipment support.
