Canada Withdrawing Non Essential Staff From Haitian Embassy Amid Security Concerns

Canada Withdrawing Non Essential Staff From Haitian Embassy Amid Security Concerns
Homes stand densely packed in the Jalouise neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Nov. 5, 2021. The Canadian Press/AP/Matias Delacroix
The Canadian Press
Updated:

OTTAWA—Global Affairs Canada says it is temporarily withdrawing non-essential staff from the Canadian embassy in Haiti.

The move comes in response to a spike in gang-related violence in Haiti and a severe lack of fuel that has affected hospitals, schools and banks.

The government says the embassy in Port-au-Prince does remain open, but all Canadians should avoid non-essential travel to the country.

The fuel shortage has threatened basic services across much of Haiti, which is still recovering from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in July.

The country has also been beset by widespread gang violence, with U.S. and Haitian authorities trying to secure the release of 17 members of a missionary group kidnapped last month.

The group includes one Canadian.