(TheConservativeTimes.org) – In a shocking escalation of violence, gangs in Haiti have viciously opened fire on American commercial flights.
The assault has forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ban all U.S. flights to the troubled Caribbean nation for at least 30 days.
Specifically, the agency implemented the flight ban after two American planes were hit by gunfire near Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
The ban includes a temporary prohibition on most U.S. flights traveling under 10,000 feet in Haitian airspace, effectively cutting Haiti off vital air connections to the United States.
For instance, Spirit Airlines Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic after sustaining gunfire damage.
A crew member suffered minor injuries during the attack, underscoring the very real danger American personnel operating in the region face.
The attack on U.S. aircraft comes at a time of increasing political chaos in Haiti as the presidential council fired Prime Minister Garry Conille and replaced him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime.
In response, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated, “The acute and immediate needs of the Haitian people mandate that the transitional government prioritize governance over the competing personal interests of political actors.”
The situation in Haiti has deteriorated to the point where gangs now control approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince despite the presence of a Kenyan-led international force.
This lawlessness has caused rampant violent crime, including robberies, rapes and kidnappings in the capital, putting American citizens and interests at severe risk.
The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has issued a travel alert for American citizens, saying “the security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous.”
The alert reads: “The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports and airports.”
Adding to the concern, reports indicate that Haitian gangs are now using advanced tactics, including drones and stockpiling weapons, to confront the police force.
This escalation in gang capabilities poses a significant threat not only to Haiti’s stability but also to regional security and American interests in the Caribbean.
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