Why US-Backed International Police Force Fails to Stop Haitian Gangs

(LAUREN TAYLOR)

INTERNATIONAL FORCES ARE BATTLING TO CONTROL THE GANG CRISIS IN HAITI.

A US-BACKED POLICE FORCE DEPLOYED MONTHS AGO IS UNDERSTAFFED AND UNDERFUNDED.

THE 400 POLICE UNITS FACE THOUSANDS OF GANG MEMBERS AND HAVE NOT YET MADE IT THROUGH THE CAPITAL OF PORT-AU-PRINCE TO CLEAR OUT CRIMINALS, DESPITE BEING THERE FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS.

IN THE FACE OF ONGOING EFFORTS, A PRISON BREAK-UP ENDED FATALLY ON FRIDAY IN A COASTAL TOWN NORTH OF THE CAPITAL.

SINCE THE ARRIVAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE, THE PRISON SYSTEM HAS BEEN THROWN INTO CHAOS.

PRISONS LACK CRITICAL RESOURCES AMID AN INFLOW OF PRISONERS.

HAITIAN AUTHORITIES SAY TEN PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN A SHOOTING INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH AND RECOVERY OF ESCAPE POINTS.

A riot is reportedly breaking out at the prison as inmates protested lack of food and poor conditions.

HAITI’S INTERIM PRIME MINISTER SAID EARLIER THIS MONTH: “HAITIANS ARE BECOMING MORE UNHAPPY” BECAUSE THE VIOLENCE IS NOT STOPPED.

OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE MULTINATIONAL SECURITY SUPPORT MISSION IS NOT GOING AS EXPECTED.

BUT THEY ARE POWERFUL TO HAVE MONEY AND RESOURCES – WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BRING HAITI BACK TO NORMAL.

THE US IS ALSO Caught Between Financing UKRAINE AND ISRAEL, AND BEHIND IT CONVINCED TO BECOME FURTHER INVOLVED IN HAITI’S SECURITY MISSION.

BUT THE US ARMY PROMISES TO PROVIDE ARMORED VEHICLES, CALL CONTROL AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

THE DELIVERY MAY BE INSUFFICIENT.

BECAUSE GANGS ONLY GROW IN STRENGTH AND NUMBERS.

OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THERE ARE FIVE TO TEN THOUSAND GANG MEMBERS – MAINLY IN AND AROUND HAITI’S CAPITAL.

THE UNSUPPORTED MISSION IS REPORTED TO HAVE REQUIRED FORKLIFTS, COMBAT VEHICLES AND MORE INFRASTRUCTURE TO DEFEAT THE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS.

FOR THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS — I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.

DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP FOR MORE STORIES ON THE SITUATION.