Haiti: Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport reopens July 9; flights likely to remain extremely limited /update 4

Event

Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) reopened July 9 after being temporarily closed to all but diplomatic and humanitarian flights following the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Although Haiti's interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph had issued orders July 8 that the facility reopen and operations return to normal, flights between PAP and other destinations will almost certainly remain extremely limited over the coming days and will probably resume only gradually as the security situation in the country in the wake of Moise's killing becomes clearer.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the assassination. As of the evening of July 9, according to the National Police, of the 28 assailants who took part in the attack on Moise, 20 have been apprehended and three have been killed, with the remaining five still at large. The Dominican Republic has closed its land, air, and maritime borders with Haiti until further notice.

The government has indicated that Haiti will remain under a "state of siege" - the second of three levels of national emergency - until at least July 22. The state of siege allows a number of constitutional guarantees to be suspended. As of July 9, most streets in Port-au-Prince remain empty amid the prevailing heightened security presence, and residents are generally staying in their homes.

The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince is closed but will resume providing limited consular services on July 12. The embassy has issued a security alert restricting direct-hire US citizen staff to the embassy compounds in Tabarre. Unconfirmed reports indicate that several hundred Haitian citizens have gathered in front of the US Embassy to seek asylum following Moise's assassination. The French government has issued a warning recommending its nationals in Haiti remain in their homes and reiterating its standing advisory against all travel to the country.

A heightened security presence will almost certainly persist in and around Port-au-Prince over the coming days. Protests and clashes between demonstrators and security forces are possible in the capital and, potentially, nationwide. The threat of violence is elevated at all public gatherings. Road travel and business disruptions are also likely near all protests.

Advice

Shelter in place until the security situation following the July 7 assassination becomes clear. Monitor local developments and liaise closely with trusted contacts. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Avoid all protests, large public gatherings, and concentrations of security personnel. Consider avoiding all nonessential travel. Reconfirm the status of road routes, flights, and the border crossing with the Dominican Republic before travel.