Gang Violence Escalates in Port-au-Prince Neighborhoods

Port-au-Prince witnessed a surge of gang violence over the weekend, forcing residents to flee their homes in the Haitian capital amid intense gunfire. Solino and other neighborhoods have become flashpoints, underscoring the fragile grip of security forces on the city. "If there's no measures against the criminals ... we will lose the entire capital," warned Haiti's police union on social media, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Recent attacks resulted in at least one death and disrupted major civic activities, including relocating the swearing-in ceremony of Haiti's provisional electoral council to a safer venue. The violence flared shortly after Haitian and Kenyan police conducted a crackdown, reportedly killing 20 suspected gang members from the notorious 400 Mawozo gang. With 80% of Port-au-Prince under gang control, the situation remains tense.

Amid the chaos, international aid is trickling in. Six Bahamian officials arrived Friday as part of a UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police to restore order. They are the first of 150 Bahamian soldiers expected to bolster security efforts. This international collaboration aims to stem the tide of criminal domination in Port-au-Prince as communities like Solino strive to resist gang encroachment. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)