Guatemaltec and Salvadorian troops fight against gangs in Haiti

Guatemaltec and Salvadorian troops fight against gangs in Haiti

A group of security forces from Guatemala and El Salvador arrived in Haiti on Friday to strengthen a multinational mission that deals with the continuing violence of gangs in the country. The Haitian national police announced this.

Cooperation for security

The 75 Guatemalic and eight Salvadorian soldiers were welcomed by numerous high-ranking civil servants at the international airport in the capital Port-Au-Prince, as can be seen from a video published by the police. The present included the chairman of the Haiti transitional presidential council, Leslie Voltaire, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the US ambassador in Haiti, Dennis Hankins.

Multinational security mission

The soldiers become part of the international police mission “Multinational Security Support” (MSS). This initiative, which is supported by the United States and the United Nations, works closely with the Haitian police to restore security on the island, while the arguments with violent gangs are ongoing.

Key quotes for security

In an explanation, Normil Rameau, the official general director of the national police, expressed that a “marriage” between the police and the Haitis population remains the “most effective way” in order to enable the total restoration of security and the creation of permanent peace.

Challenges in Haiti

Haiti is from increasing gang crime Haved up, which the government can hardly bring under control after President Jovenel Moïse's murder in 2021. The island kingdom also sees itself Natural disasters and one increasing hunger crisis confronted.

International support for Haiti

The UN Security Council approved the start of the MSS in 2023 after the Haitian government repeatedly asked for international support. The mission received the Support the United States that were willing to provide hundreds of million dollars of financing and resources.

Problems with the mission

However, the mission is not without difficulty. It is led by several hundred Kenyan police officers, the use of which is repeated delayed Before you finally arrived in June last year. In addition, the officials received no for months after their arrival Salary.

Continuous violence in Haiti

Despite the presence of the mission, violence in the country remains a major problem. In November, the US airfare authority had all flights hired to Haiti for several weeks after three aircraft of American airlines were hit by balls during the overflight via Port-Au-Prince. In a separate incident in October, vehicles from the US embassy were attacked with shots, which led to the evacuation of 20 employees at the message.

Positive development of cooperation

Godfrey Otunge, the commander of the Kenyan troops in the MSS, welcomed the Guatemaltec and Salvadorian soldiers on Friday and praised the partnership with the Haitian government. "We don't take it for granted. We have a prime minister who is also our friend," said Otunge, according to the police's video.