Haiti: Port Reopens After One Month
It was closed due to constant attacks by armed gangs
A bit of good news amid the serious crisis gripping Haiti is the opening of the port of the capital Port-et-Prince.
After being held hostage for months by criminal gangs and the political system was unable to bring the situation under control, the first two container ships in weeks arrived in this Caribbean country on October 12.
The director general of the local port authority, Jocelin Villier, explained to the Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste that “this demonstrates a return of confidence.”
Measures taken by the Government of Haiti to ensure the safety of vessels in view of possible attacks and raids by criminal gangs include escorting all boats to and from port up to 25 nautical miles.
Villier also explained that “the state is very serious about restoring security in the Gulf of Port-au-Prince.” It is yet to be seen whether the desired safety will be maintained and no accidents will occur. An open commercial port is necessary to supply the depleted country. The port was closed in September due to gang attacks that are still raging in various parts of the capital.