|
In an operation in the Croix des Bouquets area on the outskirts
of capital Port-au-Prince, a helicopter had a “suspected
malfunction” and had to make an emergency landing, according to
a statement from Haitian National Police (PNH) published on
Facebook. The officers are safe but torched the helicopter so
gangs could not recover it for their use, the police said.
Earlier Friday, social media videos showed gang members
celebrating next to the wreckage of the helicopter.
Seven gang members were killed, according to PNH Spokesman Garry
Desrosiers.
Police also recovered a Barrett semi-automatic anti-materiel
rifle that was used in the shoot out, which is a “high capacity”
weapon that is "often used to terrorize the civilian
population,” police said.
The Croix des Bouquets area is controlled by the Viv Ansanm,
which means “Living Together,” a powerful gang coalition that
has been designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist
organization.
Criminal groups have expanded their control in Haiti in recent
years and now control 90% of the capital. Gang violence has also
displaced a record 1.4 million people, according to the U.N.
International Organization for Migration.
The U.N. has backed a mission led by Kenyan police to combat
gangs in Haiti, but the mission has been mired with criticism,
including that it has been understaffed and underfunded.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
