A plane chartered by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to transport American citizens from Haiti has landed in the United States.
The rescue flight landed in Orlando., florida Late Wednesday, 14 passengers stranded on the island were repatriated amid escalating violence.
“We’re prepared to commit resources, we understand this is important, and what’s really at risk right now is our allies,” DeSantis said at a press conference, according to Politico. “I also understand that I’m a Floridian.”
US organizes helicopter evacuation of Americans from Haiti, nearly doubles number of people seeking help
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at Orlando Sanford International Airport. Mr. DeSantis was at the airport to announce that a plane carrying 14 Americans to be deported from Haiti would arrive later that day. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
About 500 Americans, including 360 Floridians, have contacted the state government about evacuating the island, according to local station ABC10.
The governor said the flights are being provided free of charge to U.S. citizens.
“We pick people up at their doorstep, we put them on a plane, we get them to this airport, and we get them back to their doorstep in Florida. That’s what we’re doing,” said Florida Office of Emergency Management Director. said Kevin. Guthrie, according to the report.
US evacuates first American citizens from Port-au-Prince as Haiti crisis deepens
People walk past a damaged car in the deserted Carrefour-Feuille neighborhood due to gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday, March 19. (Reuters/Ralph Teddy Errol/TPX Image of the Day)
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said the number of Americans who filled out forms on the State Department’s website requesting aid to Haiti was “approaching 1,600.”
With Haiti in turmoil, Mr. DeSantis has directed the National Guard and law enforcement to protect the southern coast and intercept illegal vessels entering the United States by sea from Haiti.
“For quite some time, the state of Florida has committed significant resources to combating illegal vessels coming into Florida from countries like Haiti,” DeSantis announced last week.
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After picking up their child from school, a parent runs past police conducting an anti-gang operation in the Bel-Air neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (AP Photo/Oderin Joseph)
He continued, “Given the situation in Haiti, I am directing the Office of Emergency Management, the Florida National Guard, and state law enforcement agencies to deploy more than 250 soldiers and soldiers, as well as more than a dozen additional aircraft and vessels, to Haiti. I have given instructions to deploy them to the south coast.” Florida to protect our state. ”
The U.S. response effort comes after weeks of gang violence that has plunged Haiti into chaos. Armed groups launched a new wave of attacks on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince early Wednesday, with heavy gunfire echoing through once-peaceful communities near the Haitian capital.
The attack came two days after gangs rampaged through the upscale areas of Labourg and Thomasin in Pétion-Ville, leaving at least a dozen people dead. The violence forced the closure of banks, schools and businesses across Pétion-Ville, which had largely escaped damage from the gang attack on February 29.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
