A STATE of emergency has been declared in Haiti as thousands of inmates escaped two of the country’s biggest jails.

The Caribbean country’s government declared the state of emergency on Sunday and has imposed a night-time curfew in an attempt to curb the violence.

According to reports, two prisons in the capital Port-au-Prince were stormed by gangs, who helped release over 5,000 inmates from Haiti’s National Penitentiary and a second prison.

At least a dozen people died as gang members attacked the main prison.

The government has said it will do everything in its power to ensure violent criminals, such as murderers and kidnappers are found and taken back to jail.   

“The police were ordered to use all legal means at their disposal to enforce the curfew and apprehend all offenders,” said a statement from Finance Minister Patrick Boivert, who is currently acting prime minister.

Haiti’s prime minister Ariel Henry is currently abroad trying to gather support for a United Nations-backed security force to help end the violence in the country.

Last year, Kenyan lawmakers voted in support to deploy hundreds of police officers to Haiti to tackle the growing gang violence.

However, in October last year, an opposition party went to court and was granted an order blocking the deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti.

According to reports, former police officer Jimmy Cherizier, is leading the gangs in an attempt to force the current PM from power.

The 72-hour state of emergency began Sunday night, in the hope it will bring an end to the violence across the Caribbean country.

Stability

The economic, social and political stability in the French-speaking Caribbean country has deteriorated rapidly since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse, in July 2022.  

Moïse, had been the president since 2017, and was shot multiple times and died at the scene. He was 53.

Moise had previously claimed he was the victim of an assassination plot which had been foiled by police.

Last month, it was announced the widow of Haiti’s former President had been charged in connection with his assassination.

A Haitian judge investigating the assassination, has charged Martine Moïse, along with the former Prime Minister Claude Joseph with complicity and criminal association.

The ex-chief of police Léon Charles, has also been indicted and is charged with murder, attempted murder and possession and illegal carrying of weapons.

According to the 122-page document from Judge Walther Wesser Voltaire, made public by AyiboPost, the president’s widow, allegedly conspired with former Prime Minister to kill the president so she could replace him.