Haiti's Ongoing Violence and Flight Bans

In a troubling development for Haiti, the United States has extended its ban on commercial flights to Port-au-Prince until March 12, 2025. This decision follows recent escalations in violence and kidnappings across the nation. Local news sources report that between December 10 and 11, 2024, about 15 to 20 individuals were killed in gang violence in the Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite area. These horrific incidents highlight the ongoing security crisis that has engulfed the country, raised concerns over local policing efforts, and emphasized the humanitarian needs resulting from the unrest. The American Airlines and JetBlue airlines are directly affected, along with other companies. There has been a reported surge in kidnappings, with many individuals taken for ransom. In addition, Médecins Sans Frontières has announced the resumption of medical activities in Port-au-Prince in light of recent violence involving their medical staff. The crisis has led to changes in the Haitian government, with several new appointments made in a recent council meeting. Alongside these actions, a public artisan event is set to showcase local crafts while the government continues to seek solutions to the escalating violence and deterioration of public safety.