US, Canada Send Armored Vehicles to Gang Violence-Ravaged Haiti to Bolster Police Force

As gang violence ravages Haiti, the overwhelmed police force is getting help from the United States and Canada. The two North American countries had sent armored vehicles and other supplies to the country's police force.

The U.S. State Department released a statement and said the new equipment was bought by the Haitian government but did not provide any more details. According to the Associated Press, these new supplies were flown on military aircraft to Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince.

A U.S. military's Southern Command spokesman noted that this was a joint operation with Canada, specifically between the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

"This equipment will assist (Haiti's National Police) in their fight against criminal actors who are fomenting violence and disrupting the flow of critically-needed humanitarian assistance, hindering efforts to halt the spread of cholera," the Department of State noted.

U.S., Canada Delivery Comes as Notorious Gang Takes Over Haiti's Largest Fuel Terminal and a Cholera Outbreak

This action by the U.S. and Canada comes as Haiti is ravaged by continuous gang violence and a cholera outbreak. Currently, there are over 560 suspected cholera cases in the country, with at least 35 reported deaths. Experts said it is likely that the number is much higher than what is being reported.

However, the most pressing issue is a fuel shortage caused by a notorious alliance of gangs around Haiti known as the "G9 Family and Allies." According to DW, the gang confederation surrounded the Varreux fuel terminal, causing a fuel shortage, and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The situation worsened when Henry stopped fuel subsidies, forcing fuel prices to double. It has also led to protesters blocking off streets. These scenarios have disrupted hospitals, gas stations, banks, and grocery stores across the country.

Haiti Called for International Aid From U.S. and Canada Before Delivery

In a meeting of the Organization of American States summit in Lima, Peru, on Friday, Haiti's Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus called for an "international police force" to help in securing the country as problems continue to mount.

Haiti officials also asked its two richest neighbors for help. The Hill reported that Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., Bocchit Edmond, pleaded with both the U.S. and Canada for support earlier in the week.

"We wish to see our neighbors like the United States, like Canada, take the lead and move fast," said Edmond.

Aside from the supplies and armored vehicles, the U.S. also drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution targeting the notorious gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier and other Haitian individuals and groups who "engage in actions that threaten the peace, security or stability" of Haiti.

The resolution sanctioned Cherizier, a former police officer who now leads the "G9 Family and Allies," an alliance of gangs around Haiti. It will also create a Security Council committee, which would blacklist other Haitian groups and impose sanctions on them. So far, Cherizier's sanctions include an arms embargo, an asset freeze, and a travel ban.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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