In response to a mass prison break led by armed gangs and demands for the resignation of the country's prime minister, Haiti has implemented a nighttime curfew as part of a 72-hour state of emergency. The prison break occurred late Saturday at the National Penitentiary, allowing a significant number of inmates, estimated to be around 4,000, to escape.

Finance Minister Patrick Boivert accused Haitian gangs of engaging in various violent criminal activities, including kidnapping, assassinations, violence against women and children, and attacks on prisons. As a result, the police have been instructed to enforce the curfew and capture all offenders. The curfew will be in effect from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.

The escalating violence in Haiti comes after former police officer turned gang leader, Jimmy Chérizier, also known as "Barbecue," called for unity among criminal factions to forcibly remove acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Gangs, including Chérizier's G9 Family and Allies alliance, now reportedly control up to 80 percent of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, contributing to a surge in violence that led to 4,789 homicides last year, according to the United Nations.

The exact death toll from the recent violence is still uncertain. However, a journalist from the Spanish news agency EFE witnessed at least 10 bodies at the National Penitentiary. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has been in power since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, recently traveled abroad to garner support for an international security force. In Nairobi, he attended a signing ceremony for agreements that could potentially send 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed international police force.

However, Henry's plans faced a setback after Kenya's top court declared the 2023 agreement to deploy police officers unconstitutional due to lack of reciprocal agreements and legal limitations on the deployment of their National Police Force outside the country. While in Kenya, Henry emphasized the need for democratic governance and elections to stabilize Haiti and attract investment.

Caribbean leaders have announced that Henry has committed to holding general elections by mid-2025, though concerns about security still remain. In light of the situation, the Biden administration has opted not to deploy troops to Haiti, focusing instead on providing alternative forms of assistance. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a security alert urging American citizens to leave Haiti as soon as possible, citing gang-related violence and its impact on transportation and infrastructure.

Internet service in Haiti experienced disruptions as clashes intensified in the Cazeau area of Port-au-Prince, with Digicel, a Caribbean telecommunications company, announcing a temporary cut-off of connectivity. However, the company was able to restore the connection later.

As Haiti grapples with the aftermath of the mass prison break and the demands made by gangs, the implementation of a nighttime curfew aims to restore order and ensure the safety of the population. The Haitian government, along with international partners, continues working towards long-term stability, democratic governance, and the restoration of a secure environment for the people of Haiti.