"U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible via commercial or private transport," the government tweeted on Wednesday, also urging individuals to contact ACSPAP@state.gov if they're having any challenges departing the small island nation.

The warning comes amid increasing violence in the country between rival street gangs. Many violent demonstrations have occurred in recent weeks, leading to mass displacement as residents flee their homes.

Just a couple of days ago, a powerful gang opened fire on a group of parishioners in Canaan, a makeshift town near the outskirts of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, while they marched through a community. They had been armed with machetes and had been vying to rid the streets of their community of gang members.

The gang retaliated, killing several and wounding dozens of others in the attack. Horrific videos posted to social media show the incident unfolding. It remains unclear how many were injured or died.

Gangs reportedly control about 80% of Port-au-Prince and have been rising in prevalence and power since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, which rocked the country.

Canaan specifically is ruled by a gang led by a man who mysteriously goes by only the name "Jeff." His gang is thought to be affiliated with the larger "5 Seconds" gang.

Between January and March, more than 1,600 people were killed, injured or kidnapped in the country, according to the U.N. According to a report from UNICEF, a spike in kidnappings in particular has occurred, with over 300 confirmed cases this year alone — which is almost triple the total in all of 2021 and about equal to the total number reported last year.