Haiti Besieged By Gang Violence
On Saturday, March 2nd , armed men stormed both Haiti’s National Penitentiary in the capital Port-au-Prince as well as another nearby prison. Nearly all the 3,800 prisoners have escaped from the two prisons because of the attacks in which around a dozen people died. On Monday, armed gangs attempted to seize control of Toussaint Louverture International Airport, which serves as the country’s main international airport. Just last week the airport was sprayed with bullets, although this latest violence represents the most serious threat the airport has ever faced. Authorities were exchanging gunfire with gang members on the tarmac as airport employees fled for safety.
What is happening in Haiti?
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Haiti Besieged By Gang Violence
Video
News Articles
Thousands displaced as Haiti’s ‘rapidly deteriorating’ crisis raises alarm
ALJAZEERA
March 4, 2024
Haiti’s capital ‘paralysed‘ as gang conflict intensifies after jailbreak
FRANCE 24
March 5, 2024
Armed gangs try to take control of Haiti’s main airport after jailbreak (france24.com)
Gangs in Haiti try to seize control of main airport as violence grips capital
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
March 5, 2024
US urges citizens to leave Haiti as violence escalates
DW
March 4, 2024
US urges citizens to leave Haiti as violence escalates – DW – 03/04/2024
Haiti gangs: The spiralling power of criminal groups
BBC NEWS
March 4, 2024
Haiti gangs: The spiralling power of criminal groups (bbc.com)
Haiti’s neighbors prepare for ‘drastic escalation’ in violence after jailbreak
REUTERS
March 4, 2024
Haiti’s neighbors prepare for ‘drastic escalation’ in violence after jailbreak | Reuters
Haiti’s weekend of violence puts government future in doubt
THE GUARDIAN
March 4, 2024
Haiti’s weekend of violence puts government future in doubt | Haiti | The Guardian
Haiti: The moment I met the gang boss leading a violent anti-government uprising
SKY NEWS
March 4, 2024
Assessment
Writing: What is the significance of the ongoing violence in Haiti?
Debate: What is the best way to achieve stability within Haiti?
Poll: Should Kenya send police officers to Haiti?
Short Answer: What are the ramifications if Haiti becomes a failed state?
News Quiz
True/False
A 50% increase in sexual violence has occurred in Haiti from 2022 to 2023. (T/F)
The gang G9 welcomes foreign intervention in the country. (T/F)
There are 9,000 Haitian active-duty officers in a country of more than 11 million. (T/F)
Multiple Choice
According to the United Nations gangs’ control what percent of Port-au-Prince?
- 20.
- 40.
- 60.
- 80.
Which of the following countries has twice intervened in Haiti within the last 30 years?
- Dominican Republic.
- Cuba.
- U.S.
- Jamaica.
The Dominican Republic has taken all the following actions in response to the recent violence in Haiti EXCEPT.
- Building a border fence.
- Cut off diplomatic relations.
- Deported Haitians.
- Ruled out opening refugee camps.
