United States Bans Flights To Haiti As Gang Violence Worsens

The United States on Tuesday, March 11, banned flights to Haiti’s capitol Port-au-Prince.

According to the US administration under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the move followed the worsening gang violence.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made the announcement of the extension of the ban that began in November 2024, after gangs opened fire on three commercial planes.

The restriction set to expire on Wednesday, March 12, will now remain in place until September 8, 2025.

William O’Neill, the United Nations (UN) human rights commissioner’s expert on Haiti, completed his fourth visit to the country since his appointment two years ago.

The human rights commissioner stated that gangs have infiltrated all levels of society, operating with complete impunity and sometimes with the complicity of influential figures.

The gangs have grown in power since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and are now estimated to control up to 85% of the capital.