Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, faced a wave of heavy gunfire on Thursday as a powerful Haiti gang leader, Jimmy Chérizier, also known as "Barbecue," declared intentions to capture the country's police chief and government ministers.

The unsettling situation unfolded during Prime Minister Ariel Henry's absence as he sought support from Kenya for the deployment of a foreign armed force to combat gang violence in Haiti, The Guardian reports.

Gunmen targeted Haiti's main international airport and other locations, creating chaos that prompted the closure of businesses, government agencies, and schools.

Panic ensued as parents and children fled through the streets. Sunrise Airways suspended all flights, and the unexpected violence caught many off guard.

In a recorded video, Barbecue expressed the aim to restrain the police chief and government ministers, preventing Prime Minister Henry's return to Haiti.

He declared, "With our guns and with the Haitian people, we will free the country."

The spokesperson for the prime minister's office could not be immediately reached for comment, and attempts to contact the head of Haiti's national police, Frantz Elbé, and police spokesman Garry Desrosiers were unsuccessful.

It remains unclear if Barbecue's faction, known as G9 Family and Allies, has the support of other major Haiti gangs controlling a significant portion of Port-au-Prince.

Barbecue referred to a coalition named Viv Ansanm in his speech, formed as part of a peace pact between his federation and another powerful gang, G-Pep.

The coalition aimed to bring down Henry's administration but disintegrated shortly after its announcement.

Haiti's Prime Minister Seeks Kenyan Support

Prime Minister Ariel Henry arrived in Kenya on Thursday to salvage a plan involving the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti.

The plan, authorized by the UN, faced challenges when the Kenyan High Court deemed it partially unconstitutional due to a lack of "reciprocal agreements" between the two countries.

While in Kenya, Henry aimed to finalize modalities for agreements between the nations, facilitating the deployment of Kenyan police officers to aid in combating Haiti gang violence, according to AP News.

The outcome of these agreements concerning the court's ruling remains uncertain.

Henry met with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the proposed Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

Opposition leader Ekuru Aukot, who challenged the deployment in court, raised concerns about the legitimacy of Prime Minister Henry signing any agreement on behalf of Haiti.

Despite repeated promises to hold elections, Henry has faced challenges due to ongoing gang violence since assuming office after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.

Caribbean leaders announced late Wednesday that Prime Minister Ariel Henry has agreed to hold general elections by mid-2025, addressing concerns about political instability and growing Haiti gang influence.

Multinational Mission Gains Support

In an official announcement, the West African nation of Benin expressed its intention to contribute personnel to the multinational mission in Haiti, Leader-Telegram noted.

The United Nations received notifications from The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, and Chad, confirming their commitments to providing security forces for the armed mission.

The UN trust fund established for the mission has garnered $78 million in pledges.

As Haiti grapples with internal strife, international efforts are underway to support the nation in restoring stability and combating the escalating influence of powerful gangs.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing developments expected to shape the trajectory of Haiti's future.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 'It's very scary now': Fear grips Haiti's Port-au-Prince amid gang violence - From Al Jazeera English