PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Thousands of inmates escaped from two prisons in Haiti over the weekend after armed gangs stormed the facilities, descending the nation’s capitol into further chaos.
According to the Office of Citizen Protection, after gangs attacked the National Penitentiary Saturday, only 98 of the 3,798 inmates stayed at the facility, including 18 former Columbian soldier accused of operating as mercenaries and participating in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. At the Croix-des-Bouquets prison, 1,033 inmates escaped.
On Monday, The Office of Citizen Protection said officials are concerned about the safety of judges, prosecutors, victims and more.
According to a press release, Haitian officials declared a 72-hour state of emergency on Sunday evening and imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. “to restore the order and to take appropriate measures in order to regain control of the situation.”
Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the former elite police officer known as who has been identified as the head of the gang operation, claimed responsibility for the recent attacks in Haiti in an effort to capture Haiti’s police chief and government ministers, and prevent Prime Minister Ariel Henry from returning, The Associated Press reported.
More on the prison escape in Haiti and efforts to prevent gang violence.
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