U.S. closes Haiti embassy amid “rapid gunfire” after Haitians march to demand security

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti said it was closing down on Tuesday due to gunfire nearby, after months of ceaseless violence at the hands of gangs drove thousands of Haitians onto the streets to demand security.

“The Embassy is closed today. All personnel are restricted to Embassy compounds until further notice due to gunfire in the vicinity of the Embassy. Travel between the compounds is prohibited,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its website and social media channels, adding that some routes to the secure compound could also be “impacted due to continued rapid gunfire.”

The embassy’s statement warned U.S. nationals in Port-au-Prince to avoid the area around the diplomatic compound completely, along with any “demonstrations and any large gatherings of people.”

Read more: CBS News