The U.S. Embassy on Saturday notified U.S. citizens about ongoing security operations north and south of the embassy as well as in Croix-de-Bouquets.
An alert from the Department of State stated that heavy gunfire was reported in the Haitian capital, leading U.S. government staff to suspend all movements.
The embassy continues to be open for emergency assistance.
Authorities advised nearby U.S. citizens to stay away from the area and keep an eye on local media for further information.
control significant parts of Port-au-Prince and its surrounding regions, as per the U.S. State Department and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
Croix-de-Bouquets, one of the areas mentioned in Saturday’s , has long been regarded as a stronghold of the “400 Mawozo” gang.
“400 Mawozo” gang leader Joly Germine, 34, from Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, was in December for his involvement in the 2021 kidnapping of 16 American citizens, including five children, as previously reported by Digital.
According to the Justice Department, the victims, with , were returning from an orphanage when they were taken hostage.
The State Department currently has a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Haiti, citing kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited healthcare.
The State Department did not immediately reply to Digital’s request for comment.
Digital’s Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.