Gang Thugs killed in Haiti.
Port-au-Prince, Oct 20 (EFE).-
Several members of the gangs that control most of Port-au-Prince were killed or wounded in clashes with the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which is searching for four of its members who have been missing in the Haitian capital since Sunday.
In a statement released Tuesday, the GSF reported the deaths and injuries, noting that search operations continue for four of its personnel, who are from El Salvador.
Contact with them was lost following an ambush two days ago in Santo area, located in the Croix-des-Bouquets commune within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
The GSF said that since Sunday, its troops have been conducting operations in the area and have engaged in combat with armed gang members, supported by helicopters. Preliminary reports indicate that several gang members were killed or wounded during the clashes.
Four GSF personnel were also wounded during the search operation for the Salvadoran service members and have since received medical attention.
It also reiterated its call for residents of Santo and surrounding communities to remain in their homes and avoid areas where operations are underway.
This is the second statement issued by the GSF since it reported an attack on Sunday against a vehicle carrying the four Salvadoran service members. It marks the first time the force has acknowledged the loss of contact with the soldiers, as well as their nationality.
The GSF was established a year ago by the United Nations Security Council to combat armed gangs and assist in the stabilization of Haiti. It is commanded by Major General Edernebat Batsuuri of Mongolia, who oversees more than a thousand soldiers from his home country, as well as from El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, and Chad, and its mandate was renewed for another six months on Sep. 29.
According to Haitian media, the Salvadoran soldiers apparently entered an area controlled by armed gangs by mistake while returning from purchasing supplies at a supermarket, at which point they were ambushed.
Violence and political instability have cast doubt on Haiti’s presidential and legislative elections, which have been postponed several times in recent years.
The elections were scheduled for Dec. 13, but whether they will take place on that date remains uncertain, following the Provisional Electoral Council’s (CEP) decision to delay the start of the campaign and announce a new, yet-to-be-published, electoral calendar. EFE
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