Spirit Airlines Plane Hit by Gunfire While Attempting to Land in Haiti
A Spirit Airlines plane was hit by gunfire while attempting to land in the capital of Haiti, resulting in it being forced to change course.
The plane originally took off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday and was on its way to Haiti. Due to the incident, the plane was forced to land in the Dominican Republic.
The Miami Herald reports that at least one person was injured; a flight attendant who was grazed by a bullet.
All flights at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince have been grounded by officials, according to the Daily Mail.
Flight tracking reports indicate that both JetBlue Airways and Amerijet Cargo planes were recently denied entry into Haiti, unable to land at their intended destinations.
This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that an aircraft flying over Port-au-Prince has been struck by gunfire from local gangs. A UN plane was hit by gunfire last month, forcing it to return to the airport.
The situation in Haiti has become increasingly dire, marked by escalating violence, political instability, and a deteriorating humanitarian crisis. Criminal gangs now control much of Port-au-Prince and other regions.
These gangs are responsible for widespread violence, including murders, kidnappings and gender-based violence. The UN reports that 80 percent of Port-au-Prince is under their control, with more than 3,000 people killed by gangs in 2023 alone, according to Human Rights Watch.
Violence and armed conflict have disrupted essential services, leaving many without access to food, clean water, and medical care. The situation has led to the displacement of more than 180,000 children, many of whom are at risk of severe malnutrition, per United Nations Press.
The ongoing crisis in Haiti has led millions of Haitian nationals to seek asylum in the United States, placing significant strain on American cities that are not equipped to accommodate such a large influx of people. Many cities are struggling to provide housing, healthcare, and other essential services for these new arrivals, adding to the pressure on local resources already stretched thin by other challenges.
The growing violence has resulted in Haiti not holding democratic elections in the past few years.
As a result, Haiti established a transitional presidential council in April to select the country’s next prime minister and cabinet, per the Daily Mail.
Although the council was established to bring stability to Haiti by selecting a new prime minister and cabinet, its internal divisions and ongoing political strife have hindered its progress. The persistent infighting has prevented meaningful action, deepening the country’s already dire situation.
As a result, efforts to address the escalating violence and instability in Haiti have been further delayed, leaving the nation in a prolonged state of turmoil.
Alix Didier Fils-Aime is scheduled to be sworn in as the country’s new prime minister on Monday. His predecessor, Prime Minister Garry Conille, was ousted.
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