Canada to send warships to Haiti to respond to island’s security crisis

Canada will deploy two warships In Haiti carry out monitoring work as part of efforts to suppress serious violent crisis that the Caribbean country lives as a product of the gangThis was said on Thursday by the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau made the announcement to the Bahamian at the annual meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)where the main theme was the increase in murders, rapes and kidnappings in Haiti attributed to gangs who have taken more power since the death of the president Jovenel Moise in July 2021.

“Right now, Haiti is facing relentless gang violence, political turmoil and corruption,” Trudeau said. “Now is the time to come together to face the gravity of the situation.”

He added that Canada and Haiti’s neighbors must collaborate in the search for long term solutions help restore order and security, allow the delivery of essential aid and create the conditions for a free and fair elections.

Trudeau announced that his government would invest $12.3 million extra in humanitarian aid and others 10 millions to support the International Migration Office in the protection of Haitian women and children at the border with Dominican Republicwhich expelled tens of thousands of Haitian migrants last year.

For its part, the Anita Anand, Canadian Minister of Defense He assured that “through the transport of armored vehicles purchased by Haitians, the conduct of patrol aircraft overflights and, now, the deployment of maritime coastal defense vessels, we will continue to intensify our important contributions to the security of Haiti”.

Canada’s decision to send ships, announced at a meeting of leaders of the trading bloc’s 15 member countries, comes shortly after the return of one of its surveillance aircraft as part of a similar mission to gather information Haitian police.

Ottawa will also deliver tactical and armored vehicles, as well as humanitarian aid. At the same time punished two people that they are linked to the gangs, providing financial or operational support and “fueling instability”.

The number of homicides reported in Haiti last year has increased 35%and was located at 2.183, while the number of reported kidnappings more than doubled for 1,359 victimsaccording to the UN.

A report released last month by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti noted that “gang-related violence has reached levels not seen in decadesadding that tens of thousands of people have been displaced by gang conflict.

Canada and the United States, among other countries, have already provided military equipment and other resources for National Police of Haitiwho comes from 9,700 agents in service for a country of more than 11 million inhabitants. Gang control around the 60% of the capital Port-au-Prince.

Trudeau is also committed to providing $1.8 million to combat drug trafficking and strengthen border and maritime security in the Caribbean.

In addition, Trudeau stressed that his government will allocate $44.8 million to help the Caribbean fight climate change.

(With information from Europa Press and The Associated Press)

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