Heavy gunfire paralyzed Haiti’s capital Thursday, and at least four police officers were slain, as a powerful gang leader announced that he would try to capture the country’s police chief and government ministers.
The move came during the absence of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is in Kenya trying to finalize details for the deployment of a foreign armed force to Haiti to help combat gangs.
Gunmen shot at Haiti’s main international airport and other targets, including police stations, in a wave of violence that caught many people by surprise. At least four police officers, including two women, were killed in an attack on a station near the community of Canaan, according to a police union.
Jimmy Chérizier, known as “Barbecue” and leader of the gang federation G9 Family and Allies, was seen in a recorded video announcing that the aim was to tie up the police chief and government ministers and prevent Henry from returning to Haiti.
“With our guns and with the Haitian people, we will free the country,” he said.
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
If you had to choose, would you support a foreign force intervening in your country's affairs to restore order or oppose it, and why?
@9KFTJHT3mos3MO
We should send troops to help countries that want it
@9KFSGFCProgressive3mos3MO
No because it destroys sovereignty and undermines the will of the people.
@9KFNLPJ3mos3MO
I would support it if it was going to help. Sometimes we cannot handle issues on our own and so if someone else is willing to step in and help, I say take it.
@9KFNK363mos3MO
They shouldn't intervene with our affairs and should be private business.
@ISIDEWITH3mos3MO
@ChicSeahorseRepublican3mos3MO
After decades of being a failed state election after election after election, it may be wise to confront the elephant in the room -- democracy may not be the best model for Haiti.
@ShySenateSeatGreen3mos3MO
why? Why does delicacy only work for some people, but not others? What’s the alternative govt that they should have? Some form of despotism? If not self-governance as the goal, then what?
@B1partisanTealForward3mos3MO
Haiti is without question a failed state, and has been for many decades.
Haiti demonstrably cannot put down its gangs without external military assistance, and cannot feed its people without substantial external financial and food contributions.
This is clearly a case where the UN needs to step in to establish and maintain stability and safety for Haiti's citizens, possibly via a protectorate or similar mechanism, which could also reduce or prevent the theft and squandering of millions and millions of dollars in foreign aid. Sending in hundreds of social workers rather than soldiers clear… Read more
