Panic strikes Port-au-Prince as residents flee gang violence [Video]

A wave of fear swept through Port-au-Prince Thursday as hundreds of families attempted to flee parts of the Haitian capital after a neighborhood had been taken over by gangs, an AFP journalist saw.

On Wednesday, the Solino neighborhood fell under the control of the “Viv Ansanm” (“Live Together”) gang alliance, which formed in February and worked to oust former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who resigned from his post in April.

Residents of the Delmas 30, Nazon and Christ-Roi districts feared they could be the next targets of the gangs, with some seen fleeing on foot or in cars, carrying clothing, important documents and even furniture.

“I lived in Solino. I can’t stay there anymore. The criminals chased me out of my home,” said Marjorie, a woman who was carrying a few of her belongings on her head near the Nazon district.

“I have nowhere to go. I’m going to …