MEXICO CITY, March 26 Russian Embassy, taking into account the difficult crime situation in Haiti recommends that Russians refrain from traveling to this country, said the head of the diplomatic mission, Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov.
“Taking into account the extremely difficult crime situation in Haiti, we recommend that Russians refrain from traveling to this country,” said the Russian ambassador to Venezuela and part-time to Haiti.
According to the diplomatic mission, one Russian citizen currently lives in Haiti. They are in contact with her for possible assistance in the evacuation.
The shooting in the center of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and in the area of the city's international airport began on February 29, in the absence of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was in Kenya trying to finalize the details of the deployment of a foreign armed contingent in Haiti to fight gangs. Bandit groups paralyzed life in Port-au-Prince, declaring that they intended to prevent Henri from returning to leadership of the country and “liberate” it. A state of emergency was declared in the country. Later, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, following negotiations in Jamaica, announced that Henry would leave his post as part of a political transition period, during which a transitional presidential council would temporarily hold power in the country.
According to Melik-Bagdasarov, Russia is ready to consider assistance or mediation for Haiti if the authorities of the island state make such a request. Currently, Russia is actively participating in the discussion of Haitian issues at the United Nations; working contacts with the Haitian government are maintained through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this country, as well as the Haitian Embassy in Venezuela.
Haiti is experiencing a long-term socio-political crisis, which has worsened after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Since that time, the inaction of the authorities has led to an unprecedented increase in the influence of gangster groups that engage in extortion, kidnapping for ransom and control entire areas of the country, including fuel terminals.