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☆ Haiti gang attack kills 70 people including infants
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Mitchell Mccluskey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —At least 70 people, including three infants, were killed in a gang attack in the central Haiti town of Pont Sondé, the United Nations Human Rights Office said in a statement on Friday. Members of the “Gran Grif” gang used automatic rifles to kill at least 70 people on Thursday, including 10 women and three infants, according to the UN. The attack occurred in Haiti’s Artibonite department, a crucial agricultural center about 50 miles north of Port-au-Prince, where gang violence has continued to spread, according to the UN. At least 16 people were seriously injured in the attack, including two gang members hit during an exchange of fire with Haitian police, the UN said. “Despite an extremely difficult security context, the victims of this attack are being cared for by local institutions,” the ministry said.

Persons: Pont Sondé, Garry Conille, Grif, Luckson Elan, “, ”, Conille Organizations: CNN, United Nations Human Rights, UN, Haitian, Haitian Ministry of Health, Multinational Security, Haitian National Police Locations: Haiti, Pont, Haiti’s Artibonite, Port, Haitian, Artibonite, United States, Caribbean

Since the arrival in late June of a foreign police force known as the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, criminal attacks here have slowed. But in “red zones” across the city and beyond, a new war is just beginning, as gangs test the still-forming MSS. In other words, the MSS mission has no time to lose. CNNThis mission is designed to break the mold; unlike previous peacekeeping missions in Haiti, the MSS is independent of the United Nations. To dismantle Chen Mechan,’” he said listing the nicknames of notorious Port-au-Prince gang bosses.

Persons: Prince, Toussaint Louverture, Bob Marley’s, ”, Evelio Contreras, Garry Conille –, ” –, Conille, Garry Conille, ” Conille, Prince’s Toussaint, Godfrey Otunge, he’s, Haitian National Police Rameau Normil, ” Otunge, it’s, Al, “, Lamercie, ” Estinfort, –, Mawozo, “ I’m, Lanmo, Chen Mechan, ’ ”, Biden, Haiti Dennis Hankins, CNN he’s, Hankins, ” Hankins, we’re Organizations: Prince CNN —, Haitian National Police, Multinational Security, CNN CNN, CNN, United Nations ’, UNICEF, Regional, CARICOM, State University of Haiti Hospital, “, ” Police, Planet Airways, Kenyans, Kenyan, United Nations, UN, Troops, hasn’t, Normil, Institut, MSS, US, Haitian, Haitian Justice Department, Prisons, IBESR Locations: Washington, Port, Kenya, Kenyan, Haiti, Caribbean, Florida, downtown Port, Prince, Haitian, Jamaica, Benin, Chad, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, United States, France, Canada, South Korea, Italy, India, Al Shabaab, US, city’s, Ganthier, Barbeque

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —Security forces protecting Haiti’s leader provided covering fire as he left a hospital in Port-au-Prince after an interview with CNN, in a stark illustration of the violence that continues to plague the gang-ravaged nation. Conille initially proceeded with the interview and did not remark on the gunfire — which is not an unusual thing to hear in Port-au-Prince. No one was injured and the prime minister was safely returned to his office. In May, Conille was appointed prime minister during the government’s transition period, with the aim to eventually lead Haiti to new elections. Conille had previously briefly served as prime minister from 2011 to 2012 during the presidency of Michel Martelly.

Persons: Garry Conille, MSS Force “, Conille, Ariel Henry, –, Michel Martelly Organizations: Haiti CNN — Security, CNN, Haitian National Police, Multinational Security, MSS Force, General Hospital, Haitian Police, Kenyan, Haitian Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Conille, Kenyan, Kenya, combatting

☆ Haiti: Why Kenya-led security assistance has still not arrived
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Caitlin Hu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Who are Haiti’s gangs? Complicating the situation is a torrent of smuggled guns and ammunition arming Haiti’s gangs, despite an arms embargo on the island. In October last year, the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) was finally greenlit by the United Nations’ powerful Security Council. More equipment, including armored vehicles and radios, is expected to arrive in Haiti for the MSS over the coming days and weeks. “We believe only the Haitian police can provide long term security for Haiti.

Persons: puncturing, Joe Biden, William Ruto, ” Ruto, ”, Viv Ansamn, Jovenel Moise, Antony Blinken, Al, Bill O’Neill, Ariel Henry, Ayub Abdikadir, Ruto, El Salvador, Felix Ulloa, “, SPNH17, Nou Pap, ’ Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, Haitian, Haiti’s National Police, Relations, Multinational Security, Multinational, United Nations, Security, police, UN, Presidential Council, Kenya’s Citizen, Canada, El, Salvadoran, “, NPD, Haitian National Police Locations: Haiti, Haitian, Port, Washington, Kenya, Al Shabaab, Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad, Jamaica, United States, France, Spain, Canada, Toussaint Louverture, El Salvador

YouTube YouTube TikTok TikTok TikTok TikTok YouTube Visual Investigations How a Haitian Gang Is Trying to Turn Itself Into a Militia Dozens of 5 Segonn members dance in a music video. It’s typically carried by militaries and hasn’t been seen being used before by the 5 Segonn gang. It’s typically carried by militaries and hasn’t been seen being used before by the 5 Segonn gang. A group of 5 Segonn gang members dressed in tactical gear. TikTok TikTok TikTok TikTok YouTube YouTube YouTube TikTok TikTok On social media, Izo often posts videos of himself dancing and drinking.

Persons: hasn’t, Jovenel Moïse, Ariel Henry, Johnson André, TikTok, Izo, They’ve, Gustavo Petro, Moïse’s, Dimitri Hérard, Hérard, Izo’s Organizations: YouTube YouTube, Kenyan, The New York Times, Gang, PORT, PRINCE, Prince Bay Gang, Prince, Global, Transnational, Rights, Human Rights Defence Network, Human Rights, Integrated, YouTube, of, Los Angeles Crips, Toyota, Haitian National Police, Haitian Army, Times, Associated, The Justice Department, State Department, Facebook Locations: Belgian, Haiti, Port, Dominican Republic, Prince Bay HAITI, PRINCE HAITI, U.S, America, Dieu, Izo’s, United States, Colombia, Haitian, South, Central America, Brazil, Latin America, Europe, Izo, Western

☆ Kenyan officials arrive in Haiti ahead of planned security mission
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Caitlin Stephen Hu | David Culver | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A delegation of Kenyan “command staff” has arrived in Haiti, according to a law enforcement source in the country, ahead of the long-delayed arrival of a Kenyan-led multinational security support force in the Caribbean nation. Members of the delegation are also expected to meet with US and United Nations officials in the country, sources said. The UN Security Council last year authorized a multinational mission to support Haiti’s National Police in battling deadly gangs that have seized control of much of the capital Port-au-Prince. But despite strong support from the US and other regional powers, the mission has been mired in uncertainty and legal challenges for months. The council said Tuesday that it met with top Haitian police brass to discuss the multinational mission.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Ariel Henry, Korir Sing’Oei, Antony Blinken, “, Price, Joe Biden, William Ruto, Rachel Ruto, CNN’s Michael Conte, Audry Jeong Organizations: CNN, Kenyan, US, United Nations, UN Security, Haiti’s National Police, Haitian, Haitian National Police, UN, Canada, Relations, White Locations: Haiti, Caribbean, Kenya, France, Spain, United States, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad, Jamaica

☆ U.S. forces fly in to beef up security at embassy in Haiti and evacuate nonessential personnel
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A man walks next the U.S. embassy building where the U.S. military airlifted embassy non-essential personnel due to violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 10, 2024. The U.S. military said Sunday that it had flown in forces to beef up security at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti and allow nonessential personnel to leave. "This airlift of personnel into and out of the Embassy is consistent with our standard practice for Embassy security augmentation worldwide, and no Haitians were on board the military aircraft," according to the Southcom statement. In many cases, nonessential personnel can include the families of diplomats, but the embassy had already ordered departure for nonessential staff and all family members in July. The personnel ferried out of the embassy may have simply been rotating out, to be refreshed by new staff.

Persons: Ariel Henry, Henry, Luis Abinader, Jovenel Moise Organizations: U.S ., U.S, Embassy, U.S . Southern Command, Dominican, Haitian, United Nations, Caricom, Guards, Prince Locations: U.S, Port, Prince, Haiti, United States, Kenya, East, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Hispaniola, Dominican, Jamaica, France, Canada, Brazil, Caricom

CNN —Two police stations near Haiti’s National Palace were attacked by armed individuals Friday night, as gang violence in the Caribbean nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince continued to spiral. Armed groups have burned down police stations and released thousands of inmates from two prisons, and Cherizier has warned of “a civil war that will end in genocide” if the prime minister does not step down. A woman cries as she walks near her husband's shop that armed gang members set fire to in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 7, 2024. Haiti is a member state, but it is unclear if Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry will be at the meeting. CNN has reached out to the Haitian prime minister’s office for comment.

Persons: Prince, Jimmy Cherizier, Ariel Henry’s, Cherizier, Henry, Synapoha, ” Stephane Dujarric, Clarens Siffroy, Sophie Mealier, Pierre Espérance, Ariel Henry, Jim Rogers, Rafy Rivera, Michael Conte, Abel Alvarado Organizations: CNN, Kenya, Kenyan, Haitian, Port, Caribbean Port Services, UN, Getty, Haitian Human Rights Defense Network, CARICOM, Caribbean Locations: Haiti’s, Caribbean, Port, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Prince, Haiti, AFP, Region, Prince’s, Canada, Kingston

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —From above, Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince still looks serene, its white-washed homes climbing steep green hills that encircle a glittering bay. Police officers run holding their guns while confronting a gang in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 1, 2024. Haiti’s gangs were once seen as thuggish instruments for powerful politicians and business elites. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry at the United States International University Africa, in Nairobi on March 1, 2024. Anger toward the government for Haiti’s gangs problem is misplaced, he also said, emphasizing that the government has limited options.

Persons: Toussaint, Prince, Ariel Henry, Haiti’s, “, ”, Jimmy “, Robin Hood, Ralph Tedy Erol, Henry, “ Ariel Henry, Haiti Ulrika Richardson, Kraze Barye, John Bosco, Jeremie, CNN’s, Ariel kraze peyi, Ariel, Jovenel Moise, Guy Philippe, Odric Octina, Johnson Sabin, Shutterstock, Simon Maina, Henry’s, Jean Junior Joseph, –, Leinz Vales, Sean Walker Organizations: Haiti CNN, CNN, Police, United Nations, FBI, Global, Transnational, UN, National Police, Haitian, Canadian Embassy, Catholic, St, Bank, ”, Haitian Environment, Penitentiary, Reuters, Haiti, Caricom, United States International University Africa, Getty, Kenyan, United Nations Security Council, United Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Kenya, New York, Delmas, Cité, Kizito, Jeremie, farmworkers, United States, Canada, It’s, Haitian, West, Nairobi, AFP

☆ Kenyan delegate to meetings on Haiti security found dead in Washington hotel
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Reuters —A Kenyan official who had been in Washington for talks on a planned international security force to help Haitian police fight gangs was found dead in his hotel room this week, police in the US capital said on Thursday. Washington police said they found 39-year-old Nyamato Walter unconscious in a hotel room in downtown Washington on Tuesday morning, and pronounced him dead at the scene. No deployment date has been set, and the United Nations has yet to publish details of a fund set up to gather contributions from member states. Some other African and Caribbean countries have also pledged support, while the United States has offered funds. Heavily-armed gangs have since grown in strength and are now estimated to control most of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Persons: Reuters —, Walter, Haiti’s, William Ruto Organizations: Reuters, Kenyan, Washington, United Nations Locations: Washington, UN, Nairobi, Caribbean, United States, Port

The one-page warrant contains little detail except to say that authorities are seeking to interview Martine Moïse about the case. Martine Moïse could not be immediately reached for comment, and a spokesman for an attorney of hers based in Florida said he was trying to reach the attorney. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesAfter the July 7, 2021 assassination, Martine Moïse was airlifted to a hospital in Florida for treatment. The case has largely stalled in Haiti, where more than 40 suspects were arrested in the killing, including 18 Colombian soldiers and at least 20 Haitian police officers. Four of 11 suspects in Miami have pleaded guilty, including a retired Colombian army officer and a former Haitian senator.

Persons: —, Jovenel Moïse, Judge Walther Voltaire, Martine Moïse, …, Voltaire, ___ Coto Organizations: PORT, Associated Press, Twitter Locations: Haiti, Florida, U.S, Miami, Colombian, Haitian, San Juan , Puerto Rico

☆ UN Urges Measures to Stop Arms Trafficking Fueling Haiti's Gang Wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Sarah Morland(Reuters) - The head of the United Nation's drugs and crime office on Thursday warned of a "vicious cycle" of arms trafficking to increasingly powerful Haitian gangs, fueling an internal conflict and worsening violence across the Caribbean. "It's more important than ever to take every measure possible to prevent illicit flows," the UNODC's executive director, Ghada Waly, told a U.N. Security Council meeting, saying arms trafficking and gang activity were feeding off each other. A recent UNODC report found that most illegal firearms seized in Haiti came from the United States, notably Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Texas and California. After the Dominican Republic shut its border with Haiti, smugglers were turning to more remote routes including clandestine airstrips, the report said. No date has been set for deployment, which Haiti requested in October 2022.

Persons: Sarah Morland, Ghada Waly, U.N, Robert Wood, Kenya's, Tirana Hassan, Hassan, Jose de la, Michelle Nichols, Leslie Adler Organizations: Reuters, Security, Taurus, Glock, Beretta, Smith, Wesson, Kenyan, Rights Watch, Tirana Locations: Haiti, United States, Florida , Arizona, Georgia, Texas, California, Caribbean, U.S, Dominican Republic, Ecuador

☆ A Chance Encounter and a Fugitive Linked to a President’s Killing Is Caught
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( David C. Adams | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A senior Haitian police official was shopping at his local supermarket on a recent weekday when someone caught his eye: the country’s most wanted man. The official, Ernst Dorfeuille, recognized Joseph Félix Badio, a former military officer who had focused on drug and corruption cases at the interior and justice ministries, immediately because he had once worked with him. Now Mr. Badio was a fugitive, the target of a warrant seeking to question him about the key role the police say he played in an infamous crime: the assassination of Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moïse, in July 2021. Mr. Dorfeuille summoned help, and within minutes, four police officers armed with assault rifles arrived and detained Mr. Badio as he was about to drive away from the supermarket outside Haiti’s capital.

Persons: Ernst Dorfeuille, Joseph Félix Badio, Badio, Jovenel Moïse, Dorfeuille Organizations: Haitian Locations: Haiti’s

Speaking at a meeting in New York to address the security situation in Haiti, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the mission, led by Kenya, could deploy "within months." Haiti last year asked for help to combat violent gangs that have largely overrun the capital Port-au-Prince. The council could vote as soon as next week, diplomats said, on a U.S.-drafted resolution supporting a multinational police deployment. While not providing any troops, Blinken said the Biden administration will work with the U.S. Congress to provide $100 million to back the multinational mission with logistical and financial assistance. Washington supports Kenya's vision for a three-part security mission that includes helping Haitian police, ensuring security for static installations and thoroughfares and strengthening law enforcement in the long term, Blinken said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Ariel Henry, Diaspora Affairs Alfred Nganga Mutua, Blinken, Biden, William Ruto, Henry, Antonio Guterres, Humeyra Pamuk, Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller, Grant McCool Organizations: Haitian, Kenyan, Foreign, Diaspora Affairs, . Security Council, U.S, Congress, Washington, General, Security, Thomson Locations: Haiti, United States, Caribbean, New York, U.S, Kenya, Haitian

With Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince largely controlled by gangs infamous for kidnapping and murder, experts warn that the deportations could amount to death sentences. Migrants, mostly from Haiti, collect clothes donated by a group of volunteers, at the Giordano Bruno in Mexico City, Mexico, April 6, 2023. Blinken added he looks forward to advancing the process of Kenya’s involvement through a UN Security Council resolution authorizing a multinational force in Haiti. Migrants, mostly from Haiti, take part in a protest with a banner that reads "Mexicans and Haitians are brothers" in Mexico City, Mexico May 29, 2023. From October 2022 to July 2023, more than 5,000 Haitians were interdicted at sea by the US Coast Guard.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, ” Guerline Jozef, “, Harris, Mayorkas, Jovenel Moise, Ariel Henry, ”, Giordano Bruno, Henry Romero, Henry, Antonio Guterres, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Jake Sullivan, wouldn’t, ’, ” “ Organizations: CNN, United, Customs Enforcement, Haitian Bridge Alliance, UN, Biden, White, National Security, of State, Homeland Security, Migrants, Reuters, United Nations, House, Haitian National Police, Kenyan, US Department of State, National Security Council, UN Security, US Coast Guard Locations: Haiti, Caribbean, United Nations, American, Port, United States, Mexico City, Mexico, Kenya, States, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Darien

☆ Kenya ready to lead multinational force to Haiti
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NAIROBI, July 29 (Reuters) - Kenya is ready to lead a multinational force into Haiti, which is experiencing a surge in violence between police and gangs, its foreign minister said on Saturday. Earlier this month, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the Security Council and major potential contribution countries to act fast to create the conditions for the deployment of multinational force to Haiti. "At the request of Friends of Haiti Group of Nations, Kenya has accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti," Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua said in a statement. Mutua said the planned deployment from Kenya is still subject to getting a U.N. Security Council mandate and Kenyan authorisations. "An Assessment Mission by a Task Team of the Kenya Police is scheduled within the next few weeks," he said.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, Alfred Mutua, Mutua, George Obulutsa, Valentine Hilaire, Giles Elgood Organizations: Security, Haiti Group, Nations, National Force, Kenyan, Kenya Police, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, Kenya, Haiti, Mexico City

☆ Dominican Republic, Canada disagree over Haitian police aid office
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Harold Isaac | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PORT-AU-PRINCE, June 16 (Reuters) - As Haiti's police struggle to contain powerful armed gangs, a disagreement between the Dominican Republic and Canada spilled out into the public on Friday, further complicating an international plan to boost Haiti's outgunned police force. A day after Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced plans to set up a Canadian office to coordinate support for Haiti's national police this summer in the neighboring Dominican Republic, her Dominican counterpart denied any deal authorizing an office on Dominican territory. In a post on social media, Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez said no deal been struck, adding that the Dominican government has not even discussed such a plan. The statement did not say whether the location would be in the Dominican Republic, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti. On Thursday, Joly announced plans to coordinate a police support operation from a base in the Dominican Republic and thanked Alvarez for providing it, according to a transcript from a Canadian government official.

Persons: Melanie Joly, Roberto Alvarez, Santo Domingo, Joly, Alvarez, Ariel Henry, Harold Isaac, Sarah Morland, Sandra Maler, William Mallard Organizations: PORT, Canada's, Dominican, Reuters, Haitian, Canadian, United, Thomson Locations: Dominican Republic, Canada, Dominican, Haiti, Hispaniola, Haitian, Santo, United States

☆ Haiti rights group decries 'inhumane' conditions in police jails
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 1 (Reuters) - Detainees in overcrowded cells in Haitian police stations are living in "inhumane, degrading conditions", a human rights group RNDDH said Thursday, with police relying on makeshift prisons amid insecurity and a crippled judicial system. Six police stations that the group RNDDH visited in Haiti's Ouest Department showed "very alarming" conditions, it said, urging immediate action from the judicial system, which has struggled for years and is facing strikes by staff calling for better work conditions. The rights group said many of the detainees in the Port-au Prince station had received no visits, reducing their access to food and water normally brought by relatives. Haiti has seen an escalation in violence by armed gangs, driving a humanitarian crisis that has displaced tens of thousands of people. Reporting by Sarah Morland in Mexico City and Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince; editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: RNDDH, Sarah Morland, Harold Isaac, Robert Birsel Organizations: Haiti's Ouest, Prince, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Haitian, Haiti's, Port, au Prince, Haiti, Mexico City

CNN —Haiti’s crime rate has more than doubled since last year, as the Caribbean island nation faces widespread insecurity and gang violence, new data has revealed. More than a dozen people were lynched by a crowd in Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Monday, on suspicion of being gang members, according to authorities. Residents who spoke to Reuters and AFP on camera said they believed the victims were gang members. Before the killing, Haitian National Police had stopped and searched the victims in a minibus in the neighborhood of Canape-Vert, seizing weapons and other equipment, according to a statement from the Haitian National Police. Gangs control wide swathes of Port-Au-Prince, plaguing residents with extreme violence as Haitians also grapple with extreme poverty and a humanitarian crisis.

CNN —More than a dozen people were lynched by a crowd in Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Monday, on suspicion of being gang members, according to authorities. Residents who spoke to Reuters and AFP on camera said they believed the victims were gang members. Smokes seen in the Turgeau commune of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during gang-related violence on April 24, 2023. The gang members have invaded the area. The resident added that suspected gangmembers had “invaded” the neighborhood early Monday morning around 2am.

☆ Canada's top general concerned military lacks capacity to lead Haiti mission
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

OTTAWA, March 9 (Reuters) - Canada's top general said he was concerned that his country's armed forces, already stretched thin by support for Ukraine and NATO, do not have the capacity to lead a possible security mission to Haiti. Canada over the past year has spent more than C$1 billion ($724 million) in military assistance to Ukraine. The armed forces are struggling with recruiting and donations to Ukraine have cut into some military stocks, Eyre said. Canada's military is "actively planning" expanding to brigade strength in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's defense mission in Latvia, called Operation Reassurance, which it leads, Eyre said. Canada Defence Minister Anita Anand on Thursday announced plans to purchase portable anti-tank missile systems, counter uncrewed aircraft systems, and air defence systems for the Latvian mission.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Haitian police officers on Thursday blocked streets and forced their way into the country's main airport to protest the recent killing of officers by armed gangs expanding their grip on the Caribbean nation. "PM is still at the Airport, unable to leave for now," said the source, who asked not to be identified. Haiti's National Police and the Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Roads around Port-au-Prince and in several cities to the north were blocked by protesters. The proposal was originally made three months ago but no country has offered to lead such a force.

REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File PhotoNov 4 (Reuters) - The United States and Canada on Friday imposed sanctions on two Haitian politicians, including the president of the country's Senate, as Washington accused them of abusing their positions to traffic drugs and collaborate with gang networks in the country. The sanctions target Haitian Senate President Joseph Lambert and Youri Latortue, who served as president of the chamber from 2017-2018, the U.S. Treasury Department and Canada's foreign ministry said in separate statements. The sanctions essentially freeze any assets Lambert and Latortue may hold in the United States or Canada and generally bar Americans from dealing with them. Lambert, Latortue and Prime Minister Ariel Henry's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Canada and the United States did not identify which Haitian gangs it believed were tied to the officials.

☆ U.S., Canada deliver armored vehicles to Haitian police to fight gangs
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - U.S. and Canadian military aircraft on Saturday delivered tactical and armored vehicles and other supplies to the Haitian National Police (HNP) to help combat criminal gangs that have worsened a humanitarian crisis in Haiti. The United States and Canada stepped in to transport the Haitian government-purchased equipment when the company faced delivery delays, a State Department spokesperson said, adding that Washington would continue efforts to strengthen the Haitian police. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed that one or several countries send "a rapid action force" to help Haiti's police remove a threat posed by the gangs, according to a letter to the Security Council, seen by Reuters. The 15-member Security Council could vote as early as Monday on the draft resolution, diplomats said. To be adopted a resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by permanent members Russia, China, the United States, France or Britain.

☆ Haiti gang blockade is causing catastrophic hunger, U.N. officials say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Brian Ellsworth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We have for the first time a famine present in Haiti," Ulrika Richardson, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the U.N. system in Haiti, said in a telephone interview. A U.N. spokesperson later clarified that Richardson should have described the situation as catastrophic hunger rather than famine. Richardson said other countries need to do more to support Haiti, as the Caribbean country's humanitarian response plan for this year has received less then 30% of the required funding. The situation was "close to breaking point", Jean-Martin Bauer, World Food Program country director in Haiti, told reporters earlier. U.S. development agency USAID on Friday sent a Disaster Assistance Response Team to Haiti, the agency's chief, Samantha Power, wrote on Twitter.

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