Port-au-Prince residents protest against gangs

Haiti.- On Monday, hundreds of Port-au-Prince residents protested against escalating violence in Haiti, driven by criminal gangs. The demonstration saw participants carrying tree branches and setting tires on fire in various downtown locations, including Solino, Nazon, and John Brown Lalue Avenue. Many protesters wore face coverings to avoid retaliation.

Protesters demanded decisive action from the Haitian police against gang violence. Despite the authorities’ use of tear gas to disperse the crowds, the protests continued, with residents expressing frustration over the police’s handling of the situation. One resident accused the police of trying to control the Solino neighborhood to suppress the protest.

Solino’s strategic location makes it a key target for armed gangs, including the Living Together coalition led by former police officer Jimmy Cherisier. The neighborhood has been under siege for at least 18 months, resulting in numerous deaths, including police officers.

The violence coincides with the deployment of Kenyan troops from the Multinational Security Support Mission, which began in June, and a renewed state of emergency in several regions, including Artibonite, Nippes, Centre, West, and northern districts like Plaisance and Limbe.

Source: EFE