The United States on Monday issued a security alert following heavy gunfire near its embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, underscoring the worsening security crisis in the Caribbean nation. Residents of the Haitian capital confirmed that extended exchanges of fire had erupted in the Tabarre area, where the embassy and the main international airport are located.
According to the U.S. State Department, all official movements by embassy personnel outside the compound have been suspended due to the dangerous security conditions. “US government personnel have paused all official movement outside the embassy compound,” the statement read.
Haiti has been gripped by spiraling gang violence, with rival armed groups controlling large parts of the capital and other regions. The violence, which includes murders, rapes, and kidnappings, has pushed the country further into chaos. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 3,141 people were killed in the first half of 2025 alone, a figure that highlights the deepening humanitarian and security crisis.
In recent months, clashes between gangs and police have intensified, as the country’s already fragile institutions struggle to maintain order. The capital has seen frequent gun battles, often in broad daylight, leaving residents in fear and paralyzing daily life.
On Monday, Haitian authorities announced the arrest of a former senator accused of conspiring against the state, financing criminal groups, and being complicit in murder. The arrest comes amid ongoing efforts by police to crack down on political actors believed to be fueling the unrest.
Political instability in Haiti has worsened since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Since then, the country has lacked effective governance, with the absence of elections and a functioning parliament further weakening the state’s authority.
The international community has repeatedly called for urgent action to stabilize the country. However, with armed gangs continuing to tighten their grip on major urban centers and critical infrastructure, Haiti’s path to peace and stability remains fraught with uncertainty.
As violence surges, the safety of civilians and diplomatic missions remains a growing concern, with Monday’s gunfire near the U.S. embassy serving as a stark reminder of Haiti’s deteriorating security landscape.
