ALBAWABA - According to the US Embassy in Haiti, the Biden administration has put down a plan to evacuate all of its citizens who are still on the ground in the Caribbean country, following weeks of gang violence.
The emergency flight will depart from Cap-Haïtienhas, Haiti's second-largest city, as the main airport in the capital Port-au-Prince remains shut amid the unrest.
"We are arranging a charter flight for U.S. citizens from Cap-Haitien to the United States, assuming the security situation in Cap-Haitien remains stable," the US embassy in Haiti said in a security alert posted on its website.
The security alert also mentioned that the Embassy's crews will continue to work on options for departures out of Port-au-Prince and will keep the US citizens notified as soon as they can safely and securely arrange them.
The embassy stated that the airport at Cap-Haitien is open "periodically" for departing planes. The evacuation date has not been set, and it is uncertain how many Americans will be permitted to board the flight.
The embassy warned that the 120-mile (200-kilometer) overland journey from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitien is "dangerous," and advised its residents to take the flight "only if you believe you can reach Cap-Haitien airport safely."
Last Sunday, the United States said it had evacuated non-essential American officials from its embassy in Port-au-Prince and brought in more people to strengthen security at the site.
The UN mission in Haiti announced Wednesday that it would establish an "airbridge" from the neighboring Dominican Republic to assist aid delivery into the country.
A gang rebellion in Haiti has wreaked havoc over the last two weeks, with well-armed factions attempting to depose Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is widely unpopular and has acquired the office without being elected.
Henry agreed to step down following an emergency conference on Monday that included representatives from the United States, the United Nations, and the Caribbean. This resulted in a plan for Haitians to form a Transitional Presidential Council until elections could be held.
Earlier on Saturday, police said they seized firearms and cleared obstacles in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood controlled by infamous gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, killing many criminals.
