Haitian Gang Targets US Embassy Van, Injures Employee

An armed gang attacked an armored US Embassy van in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, injuring a gardener who was on his way to work. The assailants used powerful rifles capable of penetrating armored vehicles and struck from an alley along a dirt road, raising concerns about embassy security. This incident marks the second attack on US Embassy assets in three months, with a previous shooting occurring in October that resulted in damaged vehicles but no injuries. The increased violence is attributed to the growing strength of gangs in Haiti, which continue to target diplomatic missions despite the presence of international forces. The UN reports that gang violence has resulted in over 5,600 deaths in the past year and forced more than 1 million people to flee their homes. The US State Department has yet to comment on the latest attack.