US sending flight to evacuate citizens as violence continues in Haiti

The United States (US) government is organising a charter flight for American citizens in Haiti, the US Embassy in the French-speaking Caribbean nation announced on Saturday.

With the main airport in the capital taken over by gangs, the US will use the airport in Cap-Haïtien, on Haiti’s north coast, which is about 120 miles from Port-au-Prince. It has opened periodically for departing flights, although availability is very limited.

Only citizens with valid passports will be able to board the flights, and they will also have to reimburse the US government for the transport out of the violence-torn Caribbean nation.

“We are arranging a charter flight for US citizens from Cap-Haïtien to the United States, assuming the security situation in Cap-Haïtien remains stable,” the Embassy said in a statement.

US citizens who choose to depart using US government-coordinated flights must sign a promissory note agreeing to reimburse the US government for the cost of the flight.”

The Embassy has told citizens that the US government could not assure their security in their journey to the airport, as it warned that the overland trip from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien is “dangerous”.

“We recommend you consider the Cap-Haïtien flight only if you believe you can reach Cap-Haïtien airport safely. We cannot provide overland travel from other parts of Haiti to Cap-Haïtien. We continue to work on options for departures out of Port-au-Prince and will let you know about them as soon as we are able to safely and securely arrange them,” it said.

“The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The US government cannot guarantee your safety travelling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel…. Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so,” it reiterated.

Last week, Washington airlifted its non-essential embassy staff from Port-au-Prince.

Several other embassies and consulates have been airlifting their citizens out of Haiti where much of the capital has been under the control of gangs since earlier this month.

On Saturday, police spokesman Lionel Lazarre said several “bandits” had been killed, several roadblocks cleared, and firearms seized in an operation in Port-au-Prince to recapture areas held by notorious gang leader Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier.

SOURCE: CMC