Protesters in Haiti have reached Port-au-Prince’s Aeroport International Toussaint Louverture (PAP) in an effort to meet the country’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, on January 26, 2023.
The protesters, mostly Haitian police, reportedly blocked the streets of the city and forced their way into Port-au-Prince airport to catch Henry, who was returning from a summit in Argentina.
The protesters initially stormed Henry’s residence, and upon learning that he was not there and was due to land at the airport, made their way to PAP.
Reuters reported that Henry was temporarily stuck in the airport, but was able to return to his residence later, followed by police protesters. No casualties were reported.
Protesters are decrying the killings of several police officers amid widespread insecurity and gang violence in the country.
Six police officers were killed on January 25, 2023, bringing the total number of deaths over the past week to at least 10, according to public statements by the Haitian National Police.
According to a BBC report, a Haitian human rights group, the National Network of the Defense of Human Rights, said that 78 police officers have been killed since Ariel Henry came to power in 2021.