Haiti Declares Nationwide State of Emergency on Eve of Blinken’s Visit

Haiti’s interim prime minister, Garry Conille, says the army and national police have been given weapons to help them recover territories taken by gangs.

A man with his face covered calls on demonstrators to stop during a protest against Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 1, 2024. Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters

Haiti has expanded its state of emergency to cover the entire country, as its army and police try to regain control from violent gangs.

The Sept. 4 announcement was made 24 hours before a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.