Salvadorian soldiers ambushed in Haiti!
Port-au-Prince, Oct 18 (EFE).-
Five Salvadoran soldiers serving with Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force (GSF) are missing after being ambushed on Sunday on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, local media reported. The attack took place in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, a commune in Haiti’s Ouest department about 12 kilometers (7 miles) from the capital. The GSF confirmed the ambush in a statement but did not mention any missing soldiers.
“A vehicle carrying Gang Suppression Force (GSF) personnel was attacked today by suspected gang members in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area,” the statement said.
According to preliminary reports, “armed individuals opened fire on the vehicle, triggering an exchange of gunfire” in which GSF personnel “responded in accordance with established rules” and received “air support from the force’s own helicopters,” the statement added.
“Security operations are continuing in the area as the GSF maintains its efforts to disrupt armed gang activity and put pressure on criminal groups operating in the region,” it said, without identifying those responsible for the attack.
Some local sources, however, attributed the ambush to the criminal coalition Viv Ansanm, led by former police officer Jimmy Chérizier, known as Barbecue, one of Haiti’s most notorious gang leaders. The United States is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
“The GSF continues to assess the situation and verify the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement said, adding that further information would be released as it was confirmed.
The force also advised residents of Santo to remain at home until further notice for their own safety and to stay away from the operational area until security operations had ended.
The GSF was established by the U.N. Security Council a year ago to combat armed gangs and help stabilize Haiti. Its mandate was renewed for six months on Sept. 29.
The force is commanded by Mongolian Maj. Gen. Edernebat Batsuuri, who oversees nearly 1,000 troops from Mongolia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Sri Lanka and Chad.
On Sunday, Guatemalan Defense Minister Gen. Henry David Sáenz presided over a farewell ceremony in Guatemala City for his country’s second military police unit, which is set to join the GSF.
More than 5,700 people have been killed or injured by gang violence in Haiti so far this year. The U.N. has also attributed more than 230 kidnappings and the sexual assault of more than 1,000 women and girls to the gangs.
Violence and political instability have cast doubt on Haiti’s presidential and legislative elections, which have been postponed several times in recent years and are scheduled for Dec. 13. EFE
mm-joc/lds
