HAITI-US and Canada condemn killings in Haiti.

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The United States and Canada have condemned the attacks by criminal gangs in Jean-Denis, in the Artibonite region, earlier this week that left at least 16 people dead and several others injured.

The Gran Grif gang, one of Haiti’s most feared criminal organizations, is said to be behind the deadly attacks, resulting in more than 6,000 people fleeing the area.

The Ombudsman’s Office said at least another 19 people had sustained bullet wounds, adding that the continued presence of gang members was making it difficult to verify the number of victims.

In a statement, the US Embassy here said it “is deeply saddened by the attack,” extending its sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.

“We condemn the terrorist gangs that continue to murder their fellow Haitians, with no respect for human life or dignity. We stand in solidarity with the Haitian people, who are weary of the violence and deserve to live in a peaceful and prosperous country.

“The United States will continue to support the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Gang Repression Force (FRG), which will soon be reinforced with additional personnel to combat these terrorist groups,” the US Embassy said in its statement.

The Embassy of Canada, in extending its “sincere condolences,” described the attacks as “barbaric” and “strongly condemns the actions of these terrorists who continue to sow grief in Haitian families”.

On Tuesday, the PNH announced that several of its specialized units, with the support of the GSF, had conducted an operation in several localities in the Artibonite department, saying they are determined to maintain the offensive against the terrorists.

Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé met with a high-level delegation from the United Nations, as security challenges remain an urgent concern. The delegation was led by Atul Khare, Assistant Secretary-General of the Department of Operational Support (USG/DOS).

Gang violence has ravaged the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country ever since President Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July, 7, 2021.