The US State Department has recalled non-emergency personnel from Haiti, as the security situation in the Caribbean country deteriorates.

“On July 27, 2023, the Department of State ordered the departure of family members of US government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees,” the agency said in an updated travel advisory.

The advisory states, “US citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges. US citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe.”

Recent armed clashes

The order follows an earlier advisory from the US Embassy in Haiti yesterday, urging Americans to leave immediately using commercial transportation due to recent armed clashes between criminal groups and police in Port-au-Prince. The US State Department warned in a statement of a high threat of violent crime and kidnapping throughout the city.

It added that the US government’s capacity to provide emergency services to its in Haiti is severely constrained.

“Given the recent armed clashes between gangs and the police and the high threat of violent crime and kidnapping throughout Port-au-Prince, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to make plans to depart Haiti as soon as possible via commercial means,” the earlier advisory stated.

The State Department advisory read, “the most recent violent clashes have particularly affected the neighborhoods of Vivy Michel, Tabarre, Torcel, Tapage and Trutier. The US government is extremely limited in its ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Haiti.”

Haiti has struggled to contain violence and chaos as heavily armed gangs drive a humanitarian crisis that has displaced tens of thousands amid frequent kidnappings for ransom, gang rapes, tortures and murders.

The Caribbean nation has not elected a new leader since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated on July 7, 2021.