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Officers of Haiti They declared a state of emergency and a night curfew on Sunday, trying to regain control of the streets of Port-au-Prince after violence erupted over the weekend, when members of the country's most powerful gangs armed themselves, seized two prisons and freed thousands of prisoners. The revolt was part of an attempt to topple the prime minister Ariel HenryA traveler in Kenya.
Through a statement, the executive pointed out Curfew It is valid from 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM. The move will initially last until Wednesday, but could be extended.
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“Law enforcement agencies have obtained a warrant Use all legal means at your disposal to ensure that the ceasefire is respected and to arrest violatorsA signed statement said Patrick Michael BoivertWho performs the duties of the Prime Minister Henry Until he returns.
Escape of dangerous prisoners threatens national security The government said.
In this note we explain the origin of this increase in violence Haiti and other keys.
Order to arrest Inspector General of Police and Ministers
HaitiOne of the poorest countries AmericaIt has been facing a severe political, humanitarian and security crisis since the assassination of the president Jovenal Moise, It happened in July of 2021.
This has made the security forces nervous GangsThey have control over entire parts of the country including Prince Port.
In October 2023, the Security Council him It authorized the dispatch of a team of 1,000 police officers Kenya For security work Haiti.
Last Friday, the Prime Minister Henry signed in Nairobi Bilateral agreement gives green light Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MMAS).
In this case, on Thursday, February 29, he appeared in a video Jimmy Ceresier,' known asBarbecue', the leader of the gang confederation G-9 and family and alliesto announce that he had ordered his men to capture the chief of police Franz ElbeTo the Ministers, they should prevent their return Henry to Haiti. I mean, that's what I was looking for Conspiracy.
“With our weapons and the people of Haiti, we will liberate the country,” he said.Barbecue', as reported by AP agency.
I don't know if Ceresier had the support of other powerful gangs, by and large Controls up to 80% Prince Port.
Diego Da Rin of the International Crisis Group told the AP.BarbecueHe mentioned in his speech about an alliance called Live alone, meaning “living together” in Haitian Creole. The alliance was formed last year as part of an inter-federal agreement Ceresier And another powerful gang called G-Pep, and His main objective was to overthrow Henry's government.
' following the orderbarbecue', Thursday and Friday Gunmen opened fire on multiple targetsIncluding International Airport Prince Port and took control of two police stations, forcing residents of dozens of communities to flee Schools and businesses were closed.
Violence escalated on Saturday night, with gang members attacking National Prison. More than 3,700 prisoners escapedAlmost all prisoners had that facility.
The AP checked the prison on Sunday to find it nearly empty, with no guards and clothes and furniture strewn across the patio. Three bodies with gunshot wounds were found at the entrance of the jail.
17 ex-Colombian soldiers who decided not to escape prison He was prosecuted for murder Moise.
Amid Saturday night's clashes, many Colombians He shared the video Begging for their lives.
“Please help us”Francisco Uribe said in a message widely shared on social networks. “They are killing people indiscriminately inside the cells.”
“I'm not running because I'm innocent,” Urib told reporters after entering the prison without incident on Sunday.
Finally the authorities transferred Colombians to another place.
In another neighborhood Prince PortThe bloodied bodies of the two lay face down with their hands tied behind their backs as residents walked past barricades set up with burning tires, the AP reported.
Gang members also raided a second prison in Port-au-Prince. A cross of bouquets, which housed about 1,400 prisoners, the AP reported. It is not known how many prisoners escaped from this prison.
Also, armed They occupied and destroyed the country's main football stadiumAn employee was held hostage for hours, the Football Association said. Haiti.
In the absence of an official toll, 15 people have died in mob violence as of Monday, according to media figures.
Who is 'Barbecue'?
Jimmy CeresierNickname 'Barbecue'The most feared criminal boss Haiti.
The Port-au-Prince-born former police officer leads the charge G-9 and called Family and PartnersAn alliance of some of the most dangerous gangs Haiti.
According to a report BBC MundoHe promised to tell 'Barbecue' Because his family is in the grilled meat business; But others say he got that nickname because he usually burned the houses and bodies of his victims.
In 2017, when he was a police officer, Ceresier Officially presented as an anti-mafia operation, nine civilians would have participated in the deaths Great ValleySurroundings of Port-au-Prince.
After leaving The Police, the first band led by 'Barbecue' Delmas 6Seized control of many parts of Port-au-Prince.
Ceresier He benefited from his association with members of the government Moses To gain power and influence, the BBC exemplifies Mundo.
Inside crime Estimates before the assassination of the President Mosesgang confederation Ceresier He got half of his money from the government itself, 30% from kidnappings and 20% from extortion. After the assassination, government funding was cut significantly, according to the organization.
A Cereser He has had a role in three assassinations in recent years Hundreds died in Port-au-Prince.
Government of The US sanctioned him in 2018 for his role in civilian deaths..
In October 2022, the UN Ceresier for committing “serious human rights violations”. An arms embargo, freezing of his assets and a travel ban weigh on him.
Last year the Interviewed by AP 'Barbecue'. He is a “Revolutionary” who fights against corrupt government.
“I am not a thief. I am not involved in kidnapping incidents. I am not a rapist. “I am conducting a social struggle. “I am a threat to the system,” he added.
About Ariel Henry, Barbecue He said his government was a de facto government. It is a state without legitimacy.
Why are there no elections in Haiti?
Ariel Henry was appointed as Prime Minister Haiti Monday, July 5, 2021, two days before the President Jovenal Moise was killed
Since then, HenryAn authority recognized by foreign powers such as Canada, the United States, France and other Western countries remains in power without calling elections.
Officially, On 7 February, Henry's term endedBut the Prime Minister has decided to continue running the administration.
On the same 7th February, Henry He called for peace with those demanding that the elections be held and exit, and highlighted the efforts of the police to prevent insecurity. He rejected the idea of a lasting change and emphasized the need for elections. “One change leads to another change,” he said.
In early January last year, Haiti It lost its last democratically elected institution, the AP highlighted, after the terms of 10 senators ended in symbolic activities.
It came back to Haiti “dictatorship” in practicePatrice Dumont, one of the senators, says.
He also said that although the current government was ready to hold elections, it is not possible to know if it will be possible due to its firm control. Gangs In Port-au-Prince and other cities.
Gangs are stronger than the police
The Haitian National Police has nearly 9,000 active agents In a country of more than 11 million people, the UN Generally, police officers are outnumbered and outnumbered by powerful gangs.
Saturday, during the attack National PrisonOne of the police unions Haiti He asked on social media No one in the capital will be spared, because now there will be 3,000 more bandits”.
About 1,100 people were killed, injured or kidnapped in January alone this year, in what the United Nations called the most violent month in two years.
