The Haitian government has declared a state of emergency in the Ouest department, which is facing coordinated attacks by armed gangs seeking to overthrow Ariel Henry. The decree was issued on Sunday, March 3, 2024, in the evening. "The Government of the Republic, referring to the decree of March 3, 2024, declaring a state of emergency throughout the Ouest department for a period of seventy-two hours renewable, and in order to restore order and take appropriate measures to regain control of the situation, decrees a curfew throughout this territory from six o'clock in the evening to five o'clock in the morning on Monday, March 4, Tuesday, March 5, Wednesday, March 6, and this Sunday, March 3, 2024, from eight o'clock in the evening to five o'clock in the morning," the document reads. According to the text, the decision was made due to the deteriorating security situation, especially in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. This deterioration is "characterized by increasingly violent criminal acts perpetrated by armed gangs, causing massive displacement of the population and consisting notably of kidnappings and murders of peaceful citizens, violence against women and children, looting and theft of public and private property." The measure was taken in the wake of attacks on the country's two main prisons. Thousands of detainees are now on the run. According to the government, these attacks have caused deaths and injuries among the ranks of the police and prison staff. It is specified in the decree that the measure does not apply to law enforcement officers on duty, firefighters, ambulance drivers, healthcare personnel, and duly identified journalists. "Law enforcement officers have been instructed to use all legal means at their disposal to enforce the curfew and apprehend all violators," the text concludes. This Monday, schools, commercial banks, supermarkets, money transfer houses, and public administration, among others, remained closed. In late morning, the prime minister's office issued a note stating that "public administration, commerce, industry, and schools do not cease operations during the 3 days of the state of emergency."