PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — On Tuesday, Haiti’s primary airport remained shut down following a surge of violence that erupted during the inauguration of the new prime minister, marking a politically unstable transition in the country.

The capital’s daily life came to a standstill as the violence escalated. Tensions peaked when armed gangs fired upon a Spirit Airlines plane, injuring a flight attendant and forcing the suspension of flights and airport operations. Police, equipped with heavy weaponry and armored vehicles, patrolled the area, inspecting public transport vehicles as they passed by the airport.
Schools, banks, and government offices all closed their doors in response to the chaos. The once-bustling streets were eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the intense firefights witnessed just a day earlier between gangs and law enforcement. A haunting sight was reported of a motorcycle speeding by that carried a man who had been shot, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The echoes of gunfire reinforced the grim reality that despite ongoing political efforts from Haiti’s elite and strong international calls for peace restoration, the pervasive influence of gangs continues to grip much of the nation.

According to United Nations estimates, approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince is currently under gang control. A U.N.-backed initiative, which involves police forces from Kenya aimed at curbing this violence, is hindered by financial constraints and insufficient personnel, fueling discussions about establishing a U.N. peacekeeping force.
This unrest follows the dismissal of Garry Conille, the interim prime minister, by a transitional council that has been working towards re-establishing democratic processes in Haiti, which has not seen any elections since 2016. Conille, who frequently clashed with the council during his six-month term, denounced the dismissal as illegal; nonetheless, the council promptly appointed businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as the new interim prime minister. Fils-Aimé has made commitments to collaborate with international partners to restore stability and conduct long-overdue elections, a promise that was also made by his predecessor.
However, many Haitians, including 43-year-old Martha Jean-Pierre, are disillusioned with the ongoing political turmoil. Experts indicate that these conflicts only provide gangs with increased freedom to expand their dominance as the nation faces the looming threat of famine.
Despite the dangerous circumstances, Jean-Pierre ventured into the streets of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday to sell the fresh plantains, carrots, cabbages, and potatoes she balanced on her head. She explained that selling goods was her only means to provide for her family.
“What good is a new prime minister if there’s no security, if I can’t move freely and sell my goods?” she questioned while gesturing toward her basket of vegetables. “This is my bank account, this is what my family depends on.”