2023-08-28 22:08:02
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitian National Police Director Frantz Elbé vowed Monday to hold to account those who encouraged hundreds of worshipers to grab machetes and sticks over the weekend to try to rid a community of gang members, only to end up being shot by them.
Elbé said the leader of the religious group, identified as Marcorel Zidor, participated in the protest on Saturday and was accompanied by unidentified people dressed in olive green carrying assault rifles as they marched towards the Canaan community.
The police director said the gang members began shooting at the group, and that “multiple” people were killed and several more kidnapped, though he did not provide figures.
He added that police were trying to recover the bodies of those killed in Canaan, a community established north of the capital Port-au-Prince by survivors of the devastating earthquake that struck the country in 2010. The community is controlled by a powerful gang whose leader is He calls himself “Jeff”, who is allied with another gang known as “5 Segundos”.
The police said in a statement that they had tried to convince the religious group to give up their plan “to avoid a massacre by criminals who have an arsenal of war.” Elbé noted that the group had failed to notify police regarding the protest as they should, and that officers were unable to stop the crowd in part because it had split into two groups.
“The police did everything to stop them,” he commented at a press conference, in which he described what happened as a “tragedy.”
Zidor, the pastor, might not be reached for comment. A team from The Associated Press visited the church Monday, but its large metal doors were closed and no one responded to requests to enter.
Tranquil Florant, a 32-year-old homeopath who is a member of the church, told the AP that the pastor unveiled plans for the weekend march during a vigil on Thursday.
“It was really a crazy idea,” Florant said, adding that he was not involved. “People have to make good decisions.”
Florant arrived at the church on Monday following hearing that the families of the victims were going to congregate there, but he did not find any such gatherings. Shortly following, shots began to be heard, which dispersed the people who were in the area.
Elbé pointed out that the police are trying to “neutralize” the gangs, which are estimated to control up to 80% of the Haitian capital.
“These gangs are burning down people’s houses… and creating panic. But we are fighting day and night to stop and repel them,” she asserted.
From January 1 to August 15, more than 2,400 people were killed in Haiti, more than 950 were kidnapped and another 902 were injured, according to the United Nations.
In addition, more than 300 people have lost their lives in a violent self-defense movement known as “Bwa Kale” that began in April and is targeting suspected gang members.
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