America Urges Its Citizens to Leave Haiti

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti urged its citizens in the Caribbean nation on Wednesday to leave "as soon as possible," warning of challenges concerning security and infrastructure as rising violence has led to the displacement of thousands and an increase in the murder rate. The embassy stated, "American citizens in Haiti should leave as soon as possible using commercial or private transportation," and advised exercising the utmost caution. The United Nations reported that escalating gang warfare in Haiti has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, displacing around 200,000 people across the country and leaving approximately 5.2 million individuals, nearly half of Haiti's population, in need of humanitarian assistance. Earlier in August, the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Port-au-Prince, temporarily closed its doors due to gunfire in the surrounding area.