US MARINES DEPLOYED AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN HAITI

Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Haiti is facing persistent challenges. The country is the first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is facing political upheaval. However, with the situation now spiraling out of control and security concerns escalating, the US Embassy in Sudan is evacuated, and members of the US Marines are deployed in Haiti to provide security. Related read: Understanding the New US Army Structure

The US Marines Deployed in Haiti Begin Evacuation

The US Marines deployed an airlift for a number of Americans out of the US embassy in Haiti. The island nation is currently spiraling into violence. U.S. Southern Command released a statement to USA Today and said, “At the request of the Department of State, the U.S. military conducted an operation to augment the security of the U.S. Embassy at Port-au-Prince, allow our Embassy mission operations to continue, and enable non-essential personnel to depart.”No Haitians were part of the evacuation on the aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft was strictly removing Port-au-Prince embassy personnel. Some of the US Marines were part of an airlift into the embassy to boost security. U.S. Southern Command is declining to provide additional information regarding the number of non-essential employees overnight evacuations.Read next: New York National Guard Sent to NYC Subways to Stop Violence

What We Know About the Overnight Evacuation of US Embassy Haiti

On Sunday, March 10th, the U.S. military conducted an airlift operation from the U.S. embassy in Haiti. They did so because of the coordinated gang attacks on law enforcement and state institutions that threatened to end the government. Thus, this has caused tens of thousands of people to leave their homes out of fear.The evacuation happened overnight due to heightened gang violence that was in the neighborhood near the US embassy compounds and the airport. US Southern Command stated that the move was “standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide.”He followed up with, “Our Embassy remains focused on advancing US government efforts to support the Haitian people,” US Southern Command said in a statement Sunday, adding that the evacuation helps to “allow our Embassy mission operations to continue.” Furthermore, President Biden approved the operation and is “deeply concerned” about the situation.To be as fast as possible, the mission utilized a dirt landing strip at a military base, near the Dominican side of Haiti. There are helipads in Santo Domingo but they are further away.

The Violence Starting Point

The recent uproar has stemmed from mass prison escapes and gunfire at busy places like the main airport, central bank, and national soccer stadium. Haiti’s authorities have seen an effort to be overthrown by the country's gangs before. Following the assassination of President Jobenel Moïse, armed gangs are filling a power void in the country.Gangs control around 80% of Port au Prince, according to U.N. estimates. Additionally, there are roughly 9000 officers in the Haiti National Police offering security for 11 million citizens.Furthermore, this is due to the absence of a functioning parliament in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and the resulting lack of government structure. In response to the escalating crisis and the surge in kidnappings, murders, and sexual violence cases, US Marines deployed their personnel to provide additional security measures. This US Marines deployment aims to address the growing instability. Additionally, they are protecting local civilians and the US Embassy amidst the release of violent criminals.Suggested read:Secret Project Overmatch Now Deployed On Three Carrier Strike Groups Updated by Allison Kirschbaum 3/22/2024