US State Department Evacuates Non-Essential Staff from Haiti

The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel from Haiti due to the deteriorating security situation in the country. The travel advisory urges US citizens to leave Haiti as soon as possible using commercial transportation, citing a high threat of violent crime and kidnapping. Recent armed clashes between criminal groups and police in Port-au-Prince have prompted the advisory, with specific neighborhoods being particularly affected. The US government's ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Haiti is severely constrained.