U.S. Marines exchanged gunfire with suspected gang members near the American embassy in Haiti last week, according to a statement from a Marine Corps spokesman.
Captain Steven J. Keenan told Fox News Digital on Sunday that the incident happened on the evening of November 13 in Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti. He said that Marines who were supporting security operations at the U.S. Embassy came under fire from suspected gang members and returned fire in response.
“U.S. Marines are committed to the safety and security of U.S. embassies worldwide and respond to all threats with professionalism and swift, disciplined action,” Keenan said.
No Marines were injured during the exchange, and the details of how long the gunfire lasted or how many individuals were involved were not made public. The U.S. State Department and the embassy in Haiti did not respond to requests for comment.
U.S. Marines assigned to the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group at the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, exchanged gunfire with suspected gang members overnight on Thursday, in an incident that highlights the precarious security environment on the island nation, as the… pic.twitter.com/AZqzKjFFRR
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The violence is part of a much larger problem facing Haiti. Armed gangs reportedly control up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, according to estimates from the United Nations. These groups are known to block roads, attack public services, and terrorize people through acts like kidnapping, rape, and even murder. For many Haitians, basic daily life has become dangerous and unpredictable.
Haiti has been in political turmoil since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The country has not had a stable government since then, and elections have yet to take place. In the absence of leadership, criminal groups have grown in size and influence, filling the power vacuum left behind.
In October 2023, the U.N. Security Council approved a plan to send a multinational force of 5,550 personnel to help Haitian authorities fight the gangs. This mission is designed to support local police, secure key buildings and roads, and make it easier for aid organizations to reach people in need. The force is also supposed to help prevent large numbers of people from being displaced by the violence.
It’s not yet clear which countries will send troops, but the mission is expected to be funded by voluntary contributions from U.N. member nations. The United States has voiced support for the operation but has not confirmed whether it will commit troops or funding.
Meanwhile, thousands of Haitian citizens have taken to the streets in recent months. Demonstrations have called for stronger government action and international help to end the gang violence and restore peace. Protesters have been seen waving flags, marching through neighborhoods, and demanding the return of law and order.
The U.S. government has long warned Americans not to travel to Haiti. The State Department currently lists Haiti as a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” destination due to the risks of kidnapping, violent crime, terrorism, and civil unrest. In July 2023, the U.S. ordered all nonemergency embassy personnel and their families to leave the country. Since March 2024, Haiti has remained under a state of emergency.
Despite the risks, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince remains open, with Marines stationed there to protect American personnel and property. The recent firefight highlights the dangerous conditions American service members are facing on the ground and the ongoing instability in the region.
