Haiti was in the midst of a fuel shortage due to gangs seizing control of the fuel distribution.[4] Many gangs hijacked fuel trucks, kidnapped their drivers and blocked fuel distribution ports.[5] The fuel shortage caused hospitals, schools, and businesses, who were relying on gasoline generators due to Haiti's unreliable electric grid, to shut down.[6][7] Fuel trucks resumed deliveries only a month before the incident when G9 gang leader Jimmy Chérizier allowed trucks to pass into Port-au-Prince.[3][8]