Published TUESDAY March 19, 2024: 'Descent Into Anarchy' by ZUMA Partner agency Maxppp photo-journalist David Lorens Mentor: Chaos has gutted Port-au-Prince and Haiti's government, a crisis brought on by decades of political disruption, a series of natural disasters and a power vacuum left by the former president's assassination. Haiti's current prime minister has resigned after politically connected gangs sowed chaos in the country, storming prisons, seizing control of the port, torching businesses and police stations and laying siege to the airport. A former Haitian special forces policeman turned gang kingpin called Jimmy ''Barbecue'' Cherizier announced the criminal groups' mission was to overthrow the country's unpopular leader, Ariel Henry, and liberate its 11.7 million citizens from anti-democratic rule. Unicef's executive director, Catherine Russell, has called the situation in Haiti ''horrific'' and likened the lawlessness to the post-apocalyptic film, Mad Max. Welcome to 'Descent Into Anarchy'
© zReportage.com Issue #931 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY March 19, 2024: 'Descent Into Anarchy' by ZUMA Partner agency Maxppp photo-journalist David Lorens Mentor: Chaos has gutted Port-au-Prince and Haiti's government, a crisis brought on by decades of political disruption, a series of natural disasters and a power vacuum left by the former president's assassination. Haiti's current prime minister has resigned after politically connected gangs sowed chaos in the country, storming prisons, seizing control of the port, torching businesses and police stations and laying siege to the airport. A former Haitian special forces policeman turned gang kingpin called Jimmy ''Barbecue'' Cherizier announced the criminal groups' mission was to overthrow the country's unpopular leader, Ariel Henry, and liberate its 11.7 million citizens from anti-democratic rule. Unicef's executive director, Catherine Russell, has called the situation in Haiti ''horrific'' and likened the lawlessness to the post-apocalyptic film, Mad Max. Welcome to 'Descent Into Anarchy'
Haitians in the street of Port au Prince beside burning tires react after the resignation of Prime Minister Henry. Haiti crisis worsens, as almost 4,000 people were killed and 3,000 kidnapped in gang-related violence in 2023. Sexual violence was rife, with 1,100 attacks on women by October alone. More than 300,000 people have been displaced, at least 15,000 of them in the last week.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port Au Prince, Haiti: The bloodied body of a victim of the recent violence lays in the street near the Salomon Market in Port Au Prince. Haiti is again in crisis as heavy gunfire is reported close to the national palace.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Tires burn in the street as Haitians react to President Henry's resignation. At least 15,000 people in Haiti''s capital were displaced in just one week after rampant gang violence erupted again on March 2, and more than 4,000 inmates escaped from prison under the command of gang leader Jimmy Cherizier.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port Au Prince, Haiti: Bullet holes on windows of Haiti's government ministry buildings as offices come under attack. An already terrible situation has grown worse. Almost 4,000 people were killed and 3,000 kidnapped in gang-related violence in 2023, according to the UN, and sexual violence was rife, with 1,100 attacks on women by October. More than 300,000 people have been displaced, at least 15,000 of them in the last week.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port-au-Prince, Haiti: A Haitian lady lies in the street with a gunshot wound to leg in Port au Prince. Heavy gunfire is reported close to Port-au-Prince's national palace as a large-scale gang assault is reported on multiple government buildings in the capital as the country spirals out of control.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port Au Prince, Haiti: A Haitian lady lays injured in the street near of university, she was shot in the leg. Several journalists help to take her to the hospital as heavy is gunfire reported close to Port-au-Prince's national palace.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port au Prince, Haiti: A Haitian lady who was injured and shot near the University, is helped by several journalists who help take her to the hospital. Almost 4,000 people were killed and 3,000 kidnapped in gang-related violence in 2023, according to the UN.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port Au Prince, Haiti: Armed police officers patrol in Port-au-Prince as Haiti remains in a state of emergency. The country's troubled capital is under siege as authorities struggle to rein in violent gangs demanding the prime minister resign.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Haitian National police patrol in Port-au-Prince. The increase in gang violence in the neighborhoods near the American embassy and the airport has led the US State Department to decide to proceed with the departure of additional agents from the country. The evacuation of many US citizens took place during the night by helicopter, according to residents of the neighborhood.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Former Haitian special forces policeman turned gang kingpin called JIMMY ''Barbecue'' CHERIZIER, surrounded by masked gang members, warns of civil war and genocide as the Haitian crisis spirals out of control.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Haitian women carry belongings while leaving their homes and seek shelter as gang violence spirals out of control in Port au Prince.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Masked and armed gang members patrol the streets of Port-au-Prince. The vacuum of democratically accountable political authority has created space for the gangs to expand their influence in the capital, and two rival coalitions 'G9,' led by Cherizier, and 'Gpep,' which lacks a single clear leader, have fought for control of the city.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port au Prince, Haiti: Two men fleeing their neighborhood, are now homeless after gangs burned their residences, holding a few belonging's they walk past abandoned cars in the street. A large-scale gang assault on multiple government buildings in capital reported as violence causes political crisis to spiral out of control.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Haitian families mainly women and children leaving their homes, looking for shelter after heavy gunfire is reported close to Port-au-Prince's national palace. Large-scale gang assault reported on multiple government buildings in capital as violence causes political crisis to spiral out of control.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Surrounded by masked gunmen, former Haitian special forces policeman turned gang kingpin JIMMY ''Barbecue'' CHERIZIER, warns of civil war and genocide as heavy gunfire is reported close to the Port-au-Prince National Palace. Cherizier, the police officer-turned-gangster is leading the latest violent campaign to seize control of the country.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port Au Prince, Haiti: The social assistance institute of Port-au-Prince is now under the control of homeless residents as they seek shelter while fleeing from the armed gangs as law and order in the capital spirals out of control.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
A group of demonstrators show their dissatisfaction with The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and react after the resignation of Prime Minister Henry. The increase in gang violence in the neighborhoods near the American embassy and the airport has led the US State Department to decide to proceed with the departure of additional agents a US diplomatic spokesperson said.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Former Haitian special forces policeman turned gang kingpin called JIMMY ''Barbecue'' CHERIZIER, unmasked, warns of civil war and genocide as heavy gunfire is reported close to Port-au-Prince' s national palace. Cherizier, the police officer-turned-gangster is leading the latest violent campaign to seize control of the country.
© David Lorens Mentor/Maxppp via ZUMA Press
