Gangs attack plane on day Haiti's new prime minister takes office

(CLO) Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as Haiti's new interim Prime Minister on Monday amid an increasingly unstable security situation in the Caribbean nation, with gangs even attacking planes in the country's capital.

Mr Fils-Aime's inauguration came shortly after a gun attack on a passenger plane at the airport in the capital Port-au-Prince, a stark illustration of the complete disorder in Haiti.

A Spirit Airlines flight bound for Port-au-Prince was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic after being hit by gunfire in the Haitian capital on Monday. Photo: AFP

Mr Fils-Aime replaces the previous interim Prime Minister Garry Conille, who was appointed in May but became embroiled in a power struggle with the transitional council. In his first speech, Mr Fils-Aime stressed that the first important task was to restore security, a prerequisite for success.

Meanwhile, in the capital Port-au-Prince, a Spirit Airlines flight from Florida was hit by gunfire as it attempted to land and was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic. A flight attendant suffered minor injuries and was examined by medical staff, while online images showed multiple bullet holes in the cabin.

Fortunately, no passengers were injured. Following the incident, Port-au-Prince airport suspended all commercial flights, while American Airlines also announced that it was suspending service from Miami to the Haitian capital until Thursday.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has strongly condemned the attacks on civil aviation in Haiti, stressing the need for strong security measures to protect air travel. IATA warned that the disruption is threatening the transport of essential goods and humanitarian aid to the Haitian people.

The situation in Haiti worsened when gangs staged coordinated attacks in the capital Port-au-Prince in late February, with the goal of ousting then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Faced with escalating violence, Henry resigned, handing power to a transitional council.

Despite the presence of an international police force led by Kenya, violence in Haiti continues to escalate. According to a recent United Nations report, more than 1,200 people were killed in Haiti between July and September, with kidnappings and sexual violence against women and girls on the rise.

In the face of political unrest, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all parties in Haiti to work together to ensure a smooth transition. "It is vital that Haiti's political leaders put the national interest first," Guterres' spokesman said.

Criminal gangs now control about 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince and are changing their tactics against Kenyan-led police. The UN report said gangs are digging trenches, using drones and stockpiling weapons. They have also fortified their defenses in controlled areas, placing gas canisters and petrol bombs to fend off police raids.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 700,000 people, half of them children, have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence.

Cao Phong (according to AP, SCMP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bang-dang-tan-cong-may-bay-trong-ngay-tan-thu-tuong-lam-thoi-haiti-nham-chuc-post320985.html