Violence Grips Haiti After Political Transition; Airport Closed

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s main airport remained closed on Tuesday following a violent outbreak that occurred as the country swore in a new prime minister. The unrest was sparked by gang violence, which escalated when gangs shot at a Spirit Airlines plane, injuring a flight attendant and forcing the airport to shut down.

In the capital, life came to a standstill. Schools, banks, and government offices were all closed. Streets, which had been the scene of fierce gunfights between gangs and police just a day before, were largely empty. Only a few vehicles, including one with a man who had been shot, were seen moving.

Heavy gunfire continued to echo through the streets, highlighting the ongoing violence and instability in the country. Despite efforts by Haiti’s leaders and the international community to restore peace, gangs maintain control over large parts of the nation, preventing any real progress toward stability.