PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – President of the Presidential Transitional Council (PTC), Edgard Leblanc Fils, has condemned the killing of three police officers on Sunday, saying that law enforcement authorities will receive support in putting an end to the criminal violence in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
“I present, in my name and on behalf of the Presidential Transitional Council, my heartfelt condolences to the parents of the victims…All support will be given to the police to put an end to these criminal actions and put out of harm’s way the armed gangs who are sowing mourning among the population,” he said in a statement.
The police said that three members of the Temporary Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG) were ambushed and killed in the “Sans Fil” zone in Delmas 18.
The authorities have identified those killed as Fermetus Emelin, Clovis Peterson, and Piton Wilkens Jean Junior.
The Coordinator of the National Union of Haitian Police Officers (SYNAPOHA), Lionel Lazarre, said in addition, a fourth UTAG member was injured in the exchange of fire with the gunmen.
Media reports here said that Jimmy Chérizier, alias “Barbecue,” has claimed responsibility for the attack and that assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition of the killed agents were recovered by the bandits and shown in a propaganda video.
In addition to the killings, the police said that an armored police vehicle, which the gunmen had taken over, was looted and set on fire.
Haiti is awaiting the arrival of a United Nations-backed multinational security support (MSS) to be led by Kenya as efforts continue to restore peace and security in the country, with criminal gangs reported to be in control of at least 80 percent of the capital.
Last month, on an official visit to the United States, Kenyan President William Ruto defended his country’s decision to lead the UN-backed multinational security support (MSS), saying, “This is a crisis.”
The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad, Jamaica, and Kenya have officially notified the Secretary-General of their intent to contribute personnel to the support mission.
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