NASSAU, Bahamas, Jul 21, CMC – The Bahamas government is urging citizens to avoid travelling to Haiti where gang violence and widespread kidnappings have become the order of the day.
The announcement b the Ministry of Foreign Affairs even as the authorities await official confirmation that two of its nationals have been killed in Haiti last week and that one other Bahamian is in custody.
“Avoid all travel to areas in Haiti impacted by gang violence, widespread kidnappings, political instability, and severe shortages of essential supplies,” the ministry said, adding that “all but essential travel is advised to other areas.
“There is a high risk of violent crime, including armed robbery, murder, and kidnapping; frequent civil unrest; limited access to airports and borders; and natural disaster risks (hurricanes, earthquakes). Avoid all areas, particularly Port-au-Prince, Artibonite, and border regions with the Dominican Republic,” the ministry said.
Haiti has been plunged into a security situation following the July 7, 2021 assassination of then president Jovenel Moise at his private residence overlooking the capital. Several Colombian nationals have been arrested in relations to the crime, but they have not yet appeared in a court.
Haiti has not had elections since 2019, and an interim government established to help bring democracy back to the country has been making little progress.
The UN said that since 2021 and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, gang violence has dominated the capital Port-au-Prince which is now 85 per cent controlled by gangs.
Over 1.3 million Haitians have been displaced because of this violence, representing the largest displacement due to political upheaval in Haitian history, the UN said, noting that food insecurity among displaced Haitians is rampant, with Haiti being one of five countries worldwide which is experiencing famine-like conditions.
As of March 2025, the violence has also expanded into previously untouched areas of the country, specifically the Artibonite and Centre Departments where 92,000 and 147,000 people have been displaced respectively.
Thousands of people, including women and children have also been killed.;
CMC/ah/ir/2025