As gangs take over, Haitian Leaders ask and get help from United States & Canada

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Haiti, October 29, 2022 – In response to a request for international assistance from the Haitian government to help with the increase in gang violence, the U.S. and Canada have come to Haiti’s aid by supplying vital equipment to its national police.

The United States Southern Command, on Saturday, October 15, reported that an Air Force C-17 aeroplane based at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, transported vital security equipment to Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.

“The delivery of the vital equipment was part of a joint operation involving U.S. Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft. The delivered equipment will help the HNP ensure access to vital resources and infrastructure urgently needed in Haiti to respond to a public-health crisis following a recent rise of cholera cases in the country,” SOUTHCOM said.

The equipment included tactical and armoured vehicles purchased by the Haitian National Police (HNP) from Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario, Canada.

The U.S. Air Force transport mission comes three days after U.S. interagency delegation visited Haiti. They met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the Montana Group, private sector leaders, and broader civil society groups.

During the visit “they assessed how the U.S. government can continue providing various forms of assistance aimed at helping the country improve security and respond to the growing humanitarian crisis.”

Haiti’s political, economic and health situation has worsened in recent months. Armed gangs have been preventing fuel from being distributed throughout the country by taking control of the main fuel deports.

The gangs have also caused a state of insecurity in the country.