Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry during the inauguration of his new cabinet at his residence in Port-au-Prince, on November 24, 2021. Photo: Valerie Baeriswyl / AFP

The Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry,

was unharmed this Saturday from an attack that occurred while participating in a ceremony to commemorate 218 years of national independence.

After the Te Deum in the cathedral of the city of Gonaïves, the prime minister was subjected to an armed attack when leaving the religious temple,

in a shootout that left at least one dead and several wounded.

In a video that circulates on social networks, you can see the moment when Henry leaves the Saint Charles de Borome church and shots begin to be heard, which causes a security team to protect the prime minister.

ATTENTION.

This is the video in which you see when they open fire on the Prime Minister of Haiti, @DrArielHenry at the conclusion of a mass for the 218th anniversary of the independence of #Haiti held in Gonavies.

He emerged unscathed from the attack.

#rcnoticias #robertocavada pic.twitter.com/0joWpOhjWL

— Roberto Cavada (@rcavada) January 2, 2022

The area was heavily guarded by police because an irregular armed group operating in the area warned the Haitian leader not to appear in Gonaïves.

Minutes before the attack, Henry published on his Twitter social network account that he was participating "in the traditional Te Deum that takes place in Gonaïves at the Saint Charles de Borome church", as part of the celebration of the 218th anniversary of national independence.

As part of the celebration of the 218th anniversary of national independence, I am currently participating, alongside my Chief of Staff and several members of the government, in the traditional Te Deum which takes place, in Gonaïves at the Saint Charles church of Borome.

pic.twitter.com/dCWhHxuFHO

— Dr Ariel Henry (@DrArielHenry) January 1, 2022

Due to the failed attack against Henry, the other events that were scheduled in the framework of the commemoration of the independence of Haiti from France, proclaimed on January 1, 1804, were canceled.

Haiti is experiencing a political and social crisis that worsened as of July 7, with the assassination of President Jovenel Moise by a group of mercenaries.

(With information from teleSUR)