Haiti: Tension in Capital After Anti-violence Protests

Haitian Protesters in Haiti, Aug q2024 Photo: @jo_comms

August 20, 2024 Hour: 4:32 pm

The union called on the forces of law and order to act promptly in the west wing of the capital, before the criminal gangs take full control.

On Tuesday, the Haitian capital is currently experiencing tense moments following protests against gang violence, which is terrorizing a population lacking police protection.

Residents of the neighborhoods of Solino and Delmas 24, among others, demonstrated the day before against attacks by the coalition of criminal gangs called Vivamos Juntos (Let’s Live Together).

The online newspaper Le Fateur Haiti explained that the demonstrators, in order to make their demands known, erected barricades and burnt tyres on the roads, disrupting car traffic.

The police, who cannot guarantee social peace, used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

PROTESTS IN HAITI DEMAND MORE POLICE ACTION; QUICKLY DISPERSED

Haitian protestors marched in the capital of Port-au-Prince Monday, demanding law enforcement do more to stop criminal gangs. Tires were burned in the street by protestors and barricades were constructed. Police… pic.twitter.com/HPEJyczqZe
— Knightsbridge Research (@KBR_Intel) August 20, 2024

In this context, the National Police Union of Haiti (SPNH-17) remains concerned about the strength of the gang members in the Solino neighborhood today.

The union called on the forces of law and order to act promptly in this neighborhood located in the west wing of the capital, before the criminal gangs take full control.

In its complaint reported in the local media, SPNH-17 stresses that if nothing is done, the rest of the capital will fall into the hands of the bandits, who now reign in 80 percent of Port-au-Prince.

The union denounced the death of police officer James Dorsainvil, killed in an attack by armed bandits in Solino on Thursday afternoon.

The urgent request from SPNH-17 came as members of the criminal gang Vivamos Juntos unleashed their fury in Solino.

Neighbors responded to the attack which left several people dead and wounded.

The digital newspaper Haiti Libre reported that there were casualties on both sides, but without specifying the number, and even a policeman who confronted the criminals lost his life.

Violence persists in the so-called Pearl of the Caribbean amid police operations, the presence of Kenyan troops and considerable military logistics provided by the United States.