Stepping up anti-gang operations in capital, Port-au-Prince

The Canadian Armed Forces have airlifted more armoured vehicles to the Haitian police, who are seeking to take back control of parts of the Port-au-Prince capital which is under the control of criminal gangs.

The armoured vehicles were purchased by the Haitian government.

It is the second such shipment since last October, when both Canada and the United States sent some armoured vehicles to Haiti in furtherance of attempts by the local police to retake parts of the capital overrun by criminal gangs.

The Haitian police are currently struggling to contain a gang crisis now engulfing the French-speaking Caribbean country.

This week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau disclosed that his country is now working with countries in the region to plan possible responses, if the situation further deteriorates.

Canada’s response to gang crisis

Port-au-Prince has been held hostage for months by violent, feuding gangs who have shut down roads and essential services, leading to a resurgence of cholera. Trudeau told reporters Wednesday in Mexico City, where he was attending a Canada-US-Mexico leaders’ summit, that the tanks are part of Canada’s response, which also includes humanitarian aid.

The federal government in Canada, which released the second shipment of armoured vehicles, did not say how many tanks were sent nor the cost. However, speaking with The Canadian Press, a government official said the shipment comprises three tanks, including two of the same model.

The official was granted anonymity because the individual was not authorised to speak publicly about the matter. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Defence Minister Anita Anand issued a statement saying the equipment will help the Haitian National Police.

Haiti’s unelected prime minister, Ariel Henry, has previously requested an international military intervention to regain control of the capital, a move controversial among Haitians. The US has said Canada would be an ideal country to lead a military intervention but Trudeau would not specify what Washington has asked Ottawa to do.

In Haiti: What is Canada’s responsibility?

In addition, Ottawa is trying to coax Haitian leaders to form a political consensus on how the West can best support the country so it can hold a credible election.

Part of that includes sanctions on high-profile Haitians alleged to have helped gangs thrive, which Trudeau claimed “have caused real response from the country’s elites in terms of allowing for greater stability”.