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Updated: 7/9/2021 2:36am ET: Embassy Port-au-Prince announced that it will remain closed on July 9th:
The Embassy will be closed for consular services tomorrow, July 9th, 2021. As per our earlier message to U.S. citizens, the Consular Section will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens in Haiti and will inform you as appropriate. We are confirming information that the airports may reopen for commercial flights as early as tomorrow, July 9th, 2021.
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Following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse at his home on July 7th, the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince announced closure of its offices for July 7-8. Embassy Haiti has previously restricted its direct-hire US citizen staff to the Embassy compounds in Tabarre until further notice.
Event: The Embassy will be closed tomorrow, July 8th, 2021. As per our earlier message to U.S. citizens, the Consular Section will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens in Haiti and will inform you as appropriate.
Actions to Take:
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- Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks; and
- If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
- Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
- Make contingency plans to leave the country.
The current Ambassador to Haiti Michele J. Sison was cleared by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 24 to be an Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs. US Embassy Haiti’s Deputy Chief of Mission is Nicole D. Theriot. No nominee has been announced to succeed Ambassador Sison at the US Embassy Port-au-Prince as of this writing. There’s going to be a loud call from the Hill to appoint a special envoy to Haiti.
An official says Haitian President Jovenel Moïse has been assassinated after a group of unidentified people attacked his private residence. Moïse’s wife, First Lady Martine Moïse, is hospitalized, interim Premier Claude Joseph said. https://t.co/JXK0M4oiaZ
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 7, 2021
Haiti President Jovenel Moïse assassinated in middle-of-the-night attack at his home https://t.co/RHJi7DvgmR by @Jacquiecharles
— Ana Ceballos (@anaceballos_) July 7, 2021
The U.S. extends its condolences to President Moïse’s family and to the Haitian people on the killing of their president. We condemn this heinous act and call on all political parties, civil society, and stakeholders to work together and echo @claudejoseph03’s call for calm. https://t.co/zNkGUvUFeB
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 7, 2021
Starting shortly, House Democrats getting emergency telephonic briefing on the situation in Haiti from Ambassador Sison and Julie Chung, acting A/S of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs on the situation in Haiti.
— Billy House (@HouseInSession) July 7, 2021
#Haiti: The U.S. Embassy will remain closed today for all services. Please avoid unnecessary travel. Check directly with your airline for flight status inquiries. If there is an immediate security concern in your area, contact the Haitian National Police. https://t.co/5PxKKAkYrQ pic.twitter.com/aWZ78iNwAK
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) July 7, 2021