The US is calling on American citizens to leave Haiti immediately
The US issued a strong appeal asking all American citizens to leave Haiti immediately.
“Given the current security situation and infrastructure challenges, US citizens in Haiti should leave Haiti as soon as possible via commercial or private transportation,” the State Department said in a statement.
The department also recommended that US citizens exercise extreme caution when traveling across the country and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people.
In late July, Washington issued a “Do not travel to Haiti” warning citing kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and poor health care infrastructure.
The department also ordered the removal of family members of US government employees and non-emergency US government personnel.
Gang violence in recent years has plunged the Caribbean nation into an unprecedented crisis.
The gangs control 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince, which is home to 3 million people who are exposed to rape, torture and kidnapping.
Local nonprofit groups have documented 539 kidnappings since January. Since the beginning of this year, more than 2,400 people in Haiti have reportedly died in gang-related violence.Earlier this month, an American nurse and her daughter were released two weeks after being kidnapped in Haiti.
