As criminal gangs rule Port-au-Prince, U.S.-chartered helicopters began transporting Americans out on Wednesday, a State Department spokeswoman said.
The government stated 15 Americans were helicoptered to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Officials announced Wednesday that over 1,600 U.S. citizens have registered with the State Department for information on departing Haiti. A spokeswoman said the State Department expects to transfer 30 Americans by helicopter each day the flights are chartered.
"The violence on the ground and Port-au-Prince has been dire," State Department deputy spokeswoman Vedant Patel said Wednesday.
"The security situation is certainly one of high risk, but I will also just say that we would not conduct such an operation if we did not feel that it was safe to do so and that we did not have the expertise to conduct something like this," stated.
On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed a state government-chartered jet carrying passengers left Haiti for Orlando Sanford International Airport. He predicted more flights would undoubtedly transport Florida people in danger out of the nation. Haiti has been on the State Department's "do not travel" list since 2020 because to kidnapping, violence, and unrest.
Gangs rule Haiti's capital city, which is plagued by violence. Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned this week after the notorious G9 and Family gang boss "Barbecue" requested it.
Officials stated the Henry resignation agreement included a transitional council for free and fair elections.
A multinational security support mission will also assist the country, the State Department stated. In October, the UNSC authorized this expedition. On Feb. 29, gunmen assaulted Haiti's main international airport, and gangs rule huge portions of Port-au-Prince, causing chaos and turmoil.
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