Haiti: Police Forces Kills Right Hand of Major Gang Leader
Haitian Police Forces during a operation, Photo: @canal2co
December 16, 2024 Hour: 9:51 pm
Jeff Mafia’ was shot dead while preparing with other gang members to launch a new offensive against the Delmas 19 district. Several gang members also lost their lives during this operation.
Haitian police have taken a significant step in their fight against gang violence by killing Kendy, alias ‘Jeff Mafia’, considered the ‘number two’ of the feared gang led by Jimmy Chérizier, known as ‘Barbacue’. The operation took place on Sunday in the Fort National neighborhood, in southern Port-au-Prince, amid a growing wave of violence that has plagued the Caribbean nation for months.
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Lionel Lazarre, the deputy spokesperson for the Haitian National Police, reported that ‘Jeff Mafia’ was shot dead while preparing with other gang members to launch a new offensive against the Delmas 19 district. Several gang members also lost their lives during this operation.
However, the police response was not without consequences; following the clashes, automatic gunfire was heard in various areas of the capital, including Nazon, Poste Marchand, and Poupelard. Additionally, several people were injured when gang members set fire to houses and a church, leading to further displacement among the civilian population.
The situation in Haiti is critical. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021 by an armed group that stormed his official residence, the country has been mired in a power vacuum and chronic political instability. Ariel Henry assumed office as Prime Minister shortly after the assassination, but his tenure has been marked by criticism and constant challenges. In March of this year, Henry resigned amid escalating violence shaking the nation.
In response to this crisis, a Presidential Transition Council was formed with the aim of pacifying the country and establishing a Provisional Electoral Council to organize the first elections in over ten years. However, these efforts have been hampered by persistent criminal activity and a lack of control over armed gangs.
Despite having an international police contingent led by Kenya, results have been disappointing so far. The international presence has failed to effectively curb the violent actions of gangs that operate with impunity in many areas of the country. The current situation raises serious questions about the ability of the Haitian government and its international allies to restore order and ensure security for its citizens.
The death of ‘Jeff Mafia’ may be seen as progress in the fight against gangs; however, it is only a small step within a much broader and more complex context. Violence remains an everyday reality for many Haitians who live under constant fear of attacks and reprisals. The international community must redouble its efforts to support Haiti not only with policing measures but also with initiatives that address the socio-economic roots of the problem.
In conclusion, as Haiti faces a multidimensional crisis marked by gang violence and political instability, it is crucial that sustainable solutions are implemented to promote both security and social development. Only then can the country begin to glimpse a more hopeful future for its citizens.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: HaitiLibre-The Independent
