The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Saturday warned U.S. citizens of ongoing security operations north and south of the embassy and in Croix-de-Bouquets.
Heavy gunfire was reported in the Haitian capital, prompting U.S. government personnel to halt all movements, according to a State Department warning.
The embassy remains open for emergency services.
Officials urged nearby U.S. citizens to avoid the area and monitor local media for updates.
Police patrol the streets of Port-au-Prince amid rampant gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol/File Photo)
UN staff in Haiti told to stay off the streets after gang coalition flexes muscles, US Marines face gunfire
According to the US Department of State and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), armed gangs control large parts of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.
Croix-de-Bouquets, one of the areas referred to in Saturday’s security alert, has long been considered a gang stronghold of the “400 Mawozo”.
Police stop at a car for inspection in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
US Marines exchanged gunfire with suspected gang members in Haiti, official says
According to the Justice Department, the victims, from Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries, were returning from an orphanage when they were taken hostage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently applies a level 4 ‘Do not travel’ advisory for Haiti, citing kidnapping, crime, terrorist activities, civil unrest and limited health care.
Residents run past burning tires in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Clarens Siffroy/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
