U.S. Embassy Vehicles Attacked in Haiti; Haitian Police, Commercial Vehicles Also Affected

U.S. embassy vehicles in Haiti faced an attack on Monday, with Haitian police and commercial vehicles affected by the incident.

An embassy spokesperson, Kathryn Edwards, said in a statement that no embassy personnel was injured.

Edwards added that one Haitian commercial driver accompanying the U.S. embassy vehicles was injured, but the injuries were not life-threatening. However, the statement from the U.S. embassy did not identify the attackers.

Haitian government spokesperson Jean-Junior Joseph noted that the information was accurate regarding the attack.

Haiti is currently facing rising gang violence, with one local media attributing the attack on the U.S. embassy vehicles to the 400 Mawozo gang, the same group that kidnapped a group of U.S. and Canadian missionaries in 2021.

A security source in Haiti spoke on a condition of anonymity, confirming that the attack on U.S. embassy vehicles was attacked by the 400 Mawozo gang, as reported by CNN.

Criminals still control or influence parts of the country's most populous city, with kidnappings for ransom, threatening residents' everyday movements.

Haitian Prime Minister Sacks Top Officials

Prime Minister Ariel Henry has fired Haitian government officials such as Haiti's justice minister, interior minister, and its government commissioner,

The dismissals came a month after the U.S. government announced it was withdrawing the visas of current and former Haitian government officials with connections to gangs.

Former Justice Minister Berto Dorce first fired Government Commissioner Jacques Lafontant on Henry's order. Dorce was then ousted days later with Interior Minister Liszt Quitel.

Henry did not announce why the officials were removed and his spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.

U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Haitian Senate President Joseph Lambert and former Senator Youri Latortue due to allegations of them abusing their positions to smuggle drugs with gangs. The Haitian lawmakers were also accused of directing others to engage in violence.

The United Nations International Organization for Migration report noted that more than 113,000 people were internally displaced from Port-au-Prince. The report was dated between June and August this year, contributing to urban violence and gang-related activities.

Haiti Gang Violence

The U.S. government has charged gang leaders in Haiti after being alleged of kidnapping U.S. citizens in October 2021.

Two leaders of 400 Mawozo were charged. They were identified as Lanmo Sanjou, known as Joseph Wilson, and Jermain Stephenson, known as Gaspiyay.

Haitian gangs have also used sexual violence as a weapon against communities they accuse of collaborating against them.

Gangs sometimes target women associated with rival groups for rapes or killings, as reported by The New Humanitarian. Women have been forced to join gangs for work or protection from other gangs.

Meanwhile, some women have formed their own gangs or are affiliated with others. It led to deadly consequences.

The National Human Rights Network noted that 17 women who called themselves Baz Koko Fe or "Iron Pussy" were affiliated with a gang called Chen Mechan or "Evil Dogs."

The women were allegedly raped and killed by the 400 Mawozo gang in April 2022.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: StateDept announcement of U.S. sanctions against those involved in operations of Haiti gangs. - from U.S. Embassy Haiti