Haitian police officers called for enhanced security measures on Monday following the fatal shooting of a Kenyan officer serving in a U.N.-backed mission. The officer was killed by gunmen in Haiti’s gang-dominated Artibonite region.
Garry Jean Baptiste, leader of the police union, urged the government to provide better equipment and resources, warning that gangs now control 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and are continuing to expand their influence. Speaking outside the prime minister’s office, Jean Baptiste emphasized, “Take this insecurity seriously so more lives can be saved.”
The call for action comes after the tragic death of the Kenyan officer and concerns about delayed salaries and lack of financial support for the families of fallen officers.
In response, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé promised significant investments in police equipment, stating that Haiti is effectively at war with the gangs and that restoring security is essential for the upcoming elections.
Kenya has already deployed hundreds of officers to support Haiti’s overwhelmed police force, with additional reinforcements from Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
