State Department orders U.S. personnel to evacuate Haiti

The U.S. State Department ordered all government personnel to evacuate the Caribbean nation of Haiti amid a significant rise in gang violence and domestic turmoil.

The embassy in Port-au-Prince announced a "Do Not Travel" order, citing heightened risk of kidnapping. Non-emergency government personnel were also ordered to leave the country.

"Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure," the warning reads. "On July 27, 2023, the Department of State ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees."

"U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges. U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe," it continued.

The embassy further warned that the U.S. government could only offer "extremely limited" assistance and that remaining government personnel were prohibited from leaving the area around the embassy. They further may not use public transportation or taxis, visit banks or use ATMs, drive at night, or travel anywhere without authorization.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.