Haiti Expands State of Emergency Amid Rising Gang Violence

Haiti has expanded its state of emergency to encompass the entire country as it deals with rising gang violence. This move follows earlier measures in which certain departments, including the capital Port-au-Prince, were placed under emergency status. The U.S. is supporting Haiti with funding and an international security mission.

Haiti has declared a nationwide state of emergency as the country grapples with escalating gang violence, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Garry Conille announced on Wednesday.

The emergency, initially declared in the Ouest department including the capital Port-au-Prince under former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, has now been extended due to gang invasions into other regions.

Prime Minister Conille noted that efforts are underway to reclaim gang-controlled areas with the aid of distributed materials and weapons for the army and police. This comes ahead of a planned visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whose country is a major backer of a U.N.-supported security mission to help fight the gangs.

(With inputs from agencies.)