‘Happy to be here:’ Americans relieved as another flight evacuates citizens from Haiti to Miami

MIAMI – Another relief flight transporting U.S. citizens out of Haiti landed at Miami International Airport on Thursday.

The Global X charter flight from Cap-Haïtien touched down at 11:53 a.m.

It is unclear how many passengers were on board.

Thursday’s transport came days after the first official evacuation flight brought in 30 Americans to Miami on Sunday after the airport in Port-au-Prince remained closed as gangs continued to control the area.

Amidst a backdrop of escalating gang violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Haitian-Americans arriving in Miami from Cap-Haïtien expressed relief to be back on U.S. soil. For many, the decision to leave Haiti was driven by concerns over personal safety, food shortages, and the deteriorating security situation.

As gang violence continues to grip neighborhoods, causing widespread fear and displacement, the United Nations has labeled Haiti’s humanitarian situation as dire. Citizens recount harrowing experiences, with some recalling moments of terror amidst gunfire and uncertainty.

“What did it mean for you when you landed and you know that you got here safely?” Local 10 News reporter Christina Vazquez asked passenger Gaston Desirre, who was staying in the Port-au-Prince area.

“I’m just happy because I get to the United States,” Desirre responded.

Local 10 News also spoke with Wilson Joseph who was one of several charter flight passengers arriving to Miami International Airport from Cap Haitien to say they felt relieved to be back on U.S. soil.

“Why did you want to seize this opportunity?” Local 10 News reporter Christina Vazquez asked Joseph.

“Because was going to Haiti for 15 days and (I) already get mugged,” he responded. “The people as for only one person who can help—Guy Philippe, everybody is looking for him to be president.”

Phillppe didn’t hold back when speaking about who he felt should govern Haiti during an exclusive interview with Local 10 News anchor Calvin Hughes on March 13.

A National Security Council spokesperson released a statement to Local 10 News Thursday on their efforts to bring American citizens who are stranded back home:

Local 10 News also spoke with Yves Stinfil who went to Haiti to pick up his 69-year-old mother Marrie.

Stinfil said while the area his mother’s from is not as dangerous as areas north of Port-au-Prince, he’s grateful she made it back to America.

On a U.S. government-assisted charter flight, Ashley Nurilus and her mother Acephie found themselves in a predicament along with other passengers. They expressed concerns as their departure from Haiti approached, only to realize they couldn’t leave. Flight cancellations left them feeling trapped.

“It was very scary,” said Nurilus. “I was supposed to come back March 10 (until) they canceled my flight, so I got stuck there.”

Authorities confirmed the first flight chartered by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis landed late Wednesday in Orlando and brought home 14 passengers who were stranded on the island amid the increase of gang violence throughout Haiti.

The sudden evacuation plan was not in place late last week, signaling a rapid response to the escalating situation.

Details about future flights remain uncertain, with flights operating out of Cap-Haitien, located 100 miles from Port-au-Prince, on a highway made perilous by armed gangs.

During a State Department Briefing on Monday, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated, “We are continuingly staying in touch with American citizens and those who may either be interested in hearing from embassy operations or interested in potential assistance in departing.”

“It is not a hyperbole to say this is one of the most dire humanitarian situations in the world,” Patel added. “Gang violence continues to make the situation in Haitian untenable. U.S. citizens should not go to Haiti and those in Haiti should depart immediately.”

Meanwhile, private efforts, including those led by Florida Congressman Cory Mills, an Army combat veteran and defense contractor, have successfully evacuated dozens, including missionaries using helicopter connections.

More than 90 Americans were able to depart Haiti on flights chartered by the U.S. Thursday, according to a State Department official.

The official told ABC News that more than 60 U.S. citizens left by plane, taking off from Cap-Haitien, Haiti and landing in Miami, and that more than 30 others were able to leave Port-au-Prince by helicopter for the Dominican Republic.

This brings the total number of private American citizens who have departed Haiti since March 17 through transportation organized by the U.S. to 160.

Local 10 News reached out to Global X for information about Thursday’s flight and how many passengers were involved, but the airline declined to comment about “any flights operated on behalf of their “charter clients.”

The U.S. embassy in Haiti released an advisory for American citizens looking to leave the country, which you can find by clicking here and here for the latest security information.

Officials say if you need to travel to Haiti, here are some additional safety tips.