Inside gang-ravaged country that's a 'real-life Mad Max' on brink of collapse

18 March 2024 , 13:47

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Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, has been engulfed in violence (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Haiti has been compared to the world of the dystopian film Mad Max as killer gangs fight for control.

The Caribbean nation has been engulfed in chaos following a series of natural disasters and the assassination of democratically elected President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Prime Minister Ariel Henry assumed power but his repeated failure to hold elections sparked a violent uprising from militia groups which have since taken control of at least 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

Last week Henry agreed to resign as the gangs had demanded, but the situation shows no signs of calming down. Gangsters as young as 13 are armed with ultra high-powered guns worth up to $5,000 (£3,900), reports the Daily Star, and there has been an enormous spike in murders, assaults and kidnappings.

The recent wave of violence started two weeks ago when gang boss Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier attacked two prisons and freed nearly 4,000 inmates. Despite having called for Henry's resignation, Barbecue didn't show any signs of relenting when it eventually came. He said his gang "do not care about Ariel Henry's resignation", telling W Radio: "We are going to continue the fight for Haiti's liberation."

Haitian burning tyres following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation last week (AFP via Getty Images)

While Haitians await the formation of a Transitional Governing Council that is set to take power before elections are held, gangs looted aid supplies over the weekend. NICEF said containers with "essential items for maternal, neonatal, and child survival, including resuscitators and related equipment" were snared by gangs in the capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday.

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With food, water and fuel becoming increasingly scarce for those trapped in gang-controlled areas, the situation on the ground is "the worst that anyone has seen in decades" according to Catherin Russell, UNICEF executive director.

Gang Leader Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier (centre) (Getty Images)

She told CBS: "Many, many people there are suffering from serious hunger and malnutrition and we're not able to get enough aid to them... it's almost like a scene out of Mad Max, that's what it seems like."

A recent UN report warned Haiti has seen the "near-collapse of basic services" following natural disasters. The recent explosion of gang violence now appears to have pushed the country to the brink, with a state of emergency in place until April 3.

Ethan Blackshaw