I had a distressing call from a Haitian friend (who has been trapped in Ottawa during the COVID quarantine) --who reported that as of last Friday more than 600 policeman have been killed. He said about half the police in PauP have been killed. Many of the people that are seen running in the streets are simply running to get away from them as the gangs are indiscrimately killing people. Those who can evacuate the city are doing so, as they did after the earthquake in 2010.
Gangs now occupy about all of the police stations in Port Au Prince since last Tuesday. They have now arrived even in Petitionville where last night they occupied the house of Mme. Preval, widow of the former President.
(I would expect that there may be closings or evacuations from Embassies soon-- please post if you hear of anything)
He said that he had little hope that Haiti would be able to get itself out of this situation without intervention from the international community. (He did try to blame Trump until I pointed out that Haiti was NOT a US colony and that every time the US tried to intervene all that happened was that Haiti BLAMED us for whatever - and he corrected himself - saying that of course, I was right)
He further said that the gangs that are under the control of Moise are the gangs that came in with Martelly. The ones that were under the control of Aristide are occupied with protecting only him.
Moise has proposed a new constitution that my friend (we will call him "Joe") has sent me - which is due for a vote - which almost everyone opposes. I will study it and get back to you. He and I are scheduled to talk more this evening.
Gangs now occupy about all of the police stations in Port Au Prince since last Tuesday. They have now arrived even in Petitionville where last night they occupied the house of Mme. Preval, widow of the former President.
(I would expect that there may be closings or evacuations from Embassies soon-- please post if you hear of anything)
He said that he had little hope that Haiti would be able to get itself out of this situation without intervention from the international community. (He did try to blame Trump until I pointed out that Haiti was NOT a US colony and that every time the US tried to intervene all that happened was that Haiti BLAMED us for whatever - and he corrected himself - saying that of course, I was right)
He further said that the gangs that are under the control of Moise are the gangs that came in with Martelly. The ones that were under the control of Aristide are occupied with protecting only him.
Moise has proposed a new constitution that my friend (we will call him "Joe") has sent me - which is due for a vote - which almost everyone opposes. I will study it and get back to you. He and I are scheduled to talk more this evening.