Haitian police fight for 5 hours to take back rice ship from gang

Authorities in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince announced on April 7 that police had recaptured a rice ship from the Taliban and 5 Seconds gangs. The gun battle lasted five hours, leaving two police officers and several criminals dead.

Haitian police patrol in the capital Port-au-Prince on April 6. Photo: AP

On April 7, the Taliban gang launched a revenge attack, destroying a police station on the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince, killing four people.

Violence escalated in the capital Port-au-Prince on February 29, after notorious Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier called on armed groups to coordinate attacks to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The Haitian government declared a state of emergency and imposed a nightly curfew, but has failed to restore security.

Since the violence erupted, criminal gangs have tried to seize control of Toussaint Louverture International Airport, which has been closed since last week. They have also stormed prisons, freed some 4,000 inmates and blocked major roads.

The main port in Port-au-Prince has been closed, leading to food and water shortages. Schools, banks, government offices, gas stations and many hospitals have also been closed. The few hospitals that remain open are running out of medicine.

Prime Minister Henry agreed to resign on March 11, but Haiti remains mired in chaos and gang violence. The US military has evacuated non-essential staff from its embassy in Haiti and increased the number of troops guarding the facility.

Thanh Danh (According to AP )

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