MOSCOW, March 25. /TASS/. The situation in Haiti is especially dire and Russians are strongly advised against visiting the republic, the Russian Embassy in Venezuela (jointly in the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic) told TASS.

"The situation in the capital and in the country as a whole is extremely difficult. The authorities have not yet managed to cope with rampant crime. Attacks on public institutions, public facilities and the homes of ordinary citizens occur frequently. The airport of Port-au-Prince is closed and work at the port is suspended," the diplomatic mission noted. "We strongly recommend Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to the republic," it added.

It also reported that the embassy received an appeal from a Russian citizen in Haiti. "We keep in touch with her and provide all the necessary assistance," the mission added.

The embassy informed that no Russians are currently in Haiti on organized tours.

Situation in Haiti

The security and humanitarian situation in Haiti deteriorated after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021 and the earthquake that occurred later that year that took the lives of over 2,200 people. According to the Telesur TV channel, criminal gangs control over 80% of the capital. On March 1, an agreement was signed to send a Kenyan peacekeeping contingent of 1,000 policemen to combat crime in Haiti.

Afterwards, the plans of some criminal groups in Haiti to overthrow the government headed by Prime Minister Ariel Henry were reported. On March 3, the Haitian authorities decided to impose a state of emergency and curfew throughout the Ouest department, extending it for a month in Port-au-Prince because of the confrontation between armed gangs and law enforcement agencies. Henry announced on March 11 that the government will step down after a presidential transitional council is established.