Haiti’s Gang Takeover Prompts Swift Rescue of Nearly 200 Americans

It was a two-week expedition that extended to a month.

“For me, it was just knowing that I was there because God told me to go. So, I’ve just had a peace the whole time,” Cross stated.

Approximately 500 Floridians, including Cross, were left stranded after gangs took control of the island, including the airports. She was one of the about 185 individuals that were saved from the violence.

“It’s been a long day. It’s been a long week, but we’re super excited to be this far. And we’re just we’re grateful,” Cross stated.

It hasn’t been a cheap or simple task. The total cost to date is close to $8 million.

Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie stated that “We would love to load up a 747 with about 400 people and just do one flight and be done. That’s what we would love to do. Unfortunately, we don’t have that kind of cooperation.”

The state is forced to employ alternative strategies instead. Groups will be transported by helicopters from Port-Au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien Airport, where they will board smaller aircraft.

Relocating Haitian migrants to other sections of the state is also being discussed. However, there aren’t enough volunteers in the state right now to make that feasible.