Last week, U.S. Marines stationed at the American embassy in Haiti engaged in a shootout with individuals believed to be gang members, according to a Marine spokesperson.
In a statement emailed to Fox News Digital on Sunday, Capt. Steven J. Keenan reported that the Marines, who were providing security at the embassy, were fired upon by suspected gang members in Port-au-Prince on the evening of November 13. The Marines returned gunfire in response.
“U.S. Marines are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of American embassies globally, and they respond to any threats with professional, swift, and disciplined action,” Keenan emphasized.
Fortunately, no Marines were injured during the encounter, which was initially highlighted by The Washington Post over the weekend.
In a related image, Kenyan police are seen guarding the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince on July 5, 2024, amid unrest caused by armed gangs in nearby areas. (Photo by Guerinault Louis/Anadolu via Getty Images)
At the time of reporting, there was no immediate comment from either the State Department or the U.S. Embassy in Haiti in response to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
The Caribbean nation has been plagued by gang violence, with armed groups reportedly controlling up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, according to the United Nations. The groups block access roads, attack infrastructure, and terrorize civilians through kidnappings, rapes and killings.
There has been no elected government in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
The U.N. said a gang suppression force of 5,550 was set to begin operations in Haiti on Oct. 2, working alongside Haitian authorities to neutralize gangs, secure infrastructure and support humanitarian access.
Protesters in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, march on April 2, 2025. (Guerinault Louis/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The multinational mission, authorized by the U.N. Security Council, aims to “protect vulnerable populations from escalating violence and prevent the displacement that inevitably causes.”
It remains unclear which countries will contribute personnel, though the force will be funded primarily through voluntary contributions from U.N. member states.
The State Department has a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” warning for Haiti on its website due to the risks of kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity and civil unrest.
It ordered nonemergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave the country in July 2023 due to security risks. The country has been under a state of emergency since March 2024.
Protesters pass burning tires while marching to demand stronger government action on security in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on April 2, 2025. (Clarens Siffroy/AFP via Getty Images)
