After police officers was assassinated, tensions increased in Haiti’s capital

As rage grows over recent gang killings in Haiti, protesters create burning barricades in Port-au-Prince. 

In response to a spate of police officer murders by Haitian gangs over the past week, furious protesters have raged through the streets of the country’s capital, blocking streets and firing weapons into the air. 

Le Nouvelliste, a Haitian news site, said that furious scenes broke out in numerous Port-au-Prince neighbourhoods on Thursday and that barricades made of burning tyres had been built in the city’s center. 

According to the report, numerous schools had to close due to disruptions in public transportation. Le Nouvelliste stated that “armed protesters disguised as police officers tried to penetrate the courtyard of the prime minister’s official residence before moving to the airport road.” 

Since President Jovenel Moise’s murder in July 2021, which aggravated existing political instability and left a power vacuum, gang violence has increased throughout Port-au-Prince. 

In an effort to increase their power and “terrorise” the populace, armed gangs were waging a campaign of murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault, according to the United Nations, which estimated that they controlled around 60% of the capital at the time. 

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According to the Haitian National Police, gangs have killed at least 10 police officers in the previous week, while one is still missing and another has significant gunshot wounds (HNP).

Six police officers’ bloodied and naked bodies were seen spread out on the ground with their firearms resting on their chests in a video obtained by The Associated Press news agency and confirmed by authorities on Thursday. The video was presumably shot by gangs. 

The bodies are still in the possession of the Gan Grif gang, according to the authorities. 

Members of Fantom 509, an armed group of present-day and retired police officers who have aggressively demanded improved working conditions for policemen, were outraged by the fatalities. 

On Thursday, dozens of these guys moved through Port-au-Prince, many clad in hoods, police gear, flak jackets, rifles, and automatic guns. 

They demanded stricter measures against the gangs and called for the overthrow of the present administration, led by acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry of Haiti, who entered office only a few weeks after Moise was assassinated in 2021 and is currently experiencing a crisis of legitimacy. 

What should I do if people are killing police officers and I’m a citizen? One protester shouted into an Associated Press camera while wearing a mask. “We’re going to support the police because they’re only surpassed by God.” 

The families and coworkers of the deceased officers received condolence messages from the Haitian National Police. 

The force continued by “calling for peace and inviting police officers to unite to advance an institutional response to the many criminal organisations that terrorise the Haitian people.” 

On Thursday, the US embassy in Haiti sent its sympathies to the surviving family members of the victims and appealed for “calm to protect the population and allow for a peaceful mourning time.” 

The embassy posted on Twitter, “We stand with the security forces as they confront armed gangs to restore security to the Haitian people.” 

Source: The Associated Press, Al Jazeera