As Haiti descends into chaos after weeks of gang violence, the first rescue charter flight took off from the Caribbean nation and landed in Miami on Sunday afternoon, a U.S. official confirmed to Fox News.
All 47 passengers appeared to be Americans, the official said, and the flight was reserved only for people with U.S. passports.
Armed members of the G9 and Family gangs roll and burn tires on barricades in the Delmas 6 neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Oderin Joseph)
The plane took off from the city of Cap-Haitien, about a five-and-a-half hour drive north of the capital Port-au-Prince, which is largely under gang control.
The U.S. State Department announced the charter flight on Saturday and provided a link to sign up for those wishing to fly. He warned that Americans should only consider flying if they can safely arrive at Cap-Haitien Airport.
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The remarks came days after the State Department announced there were no immediate plans to evacuate American citizens, citing numerous warnings against traveling to Haiti over the past four years.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit Project Dynamo is working to rescue at least 40 Americans by air or sea. It is not clear whether any of these people were on Sunday’s charter flight.
Members of the National Palace General Security Force USGPN set up a security perimeter around one of three downtown train stations on Saturday, March 9, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after police repelled a gang attack the previous day. . , 2024. (AP Photo/Oderin Joseph)
The State Department said it is aware of at least several hundred more American citizens still stranded in Haiti.
Sunday’s flight came after the United States sent in troops to beef up security and evacuate non-essential staff at the U.S. embassy.
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The United States last week beefed up security at the U.S. embassy and sent in troops to quell speculation that a senior U.S. government official might resign.
Pedestrians and commuters fill the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Oderin Joseph)
In recent weeks, gangs have rampaged across Haiti, attacking major institutions and shutting down the main international airport. The unrest has pushed many Haitians to the brink of starvation and left many more in increasingly desperate situations.
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The violence has thrown Haiti’s government into chaos, with Prime Minister Ariel Henry vowing to resign once a key transitional council is formed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
