Haiti cancels National Carnival amid rising insecurity

Haiti.- The Haitian government has canceled this year’s National Carnival, originally scheduled for March 2-4 in Fort-Liberté, due to escalating violence in the country. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime directed the Minister of Culture, Patrick Delatoure, to halt the event, which faced criticism given the growing control of armed gangs over Haiti, particularly in Port-au-Prince.

The government had allocated US$2.3 million for carnival celebrations nationwide, with US$1.3 million earmarked for Fort-Liberté. While the national event is canceled, local councils and cultural organizations may still host regional festivities with government support. Similar cancellations occurred in 2019 and 2022 due to security concerns.

Haiti continues to struggle with worsening violence, with over 5,600 deaths reported in 2024 due to gang activity. Additionally, more than one million people, including many children, have been displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.