Police and palace guards in Haiti worked on Saturday to reclaim control of the streets after criminal gangs unleashed massive assaults, which prompted regional leaders to convene an emergency meeting, local media reported.

Lionel Lazarre, general coordinator of the Haitian National Police Union, said that the police successfully repelled the attacks, eliminating several "bandits." No police officers were reported dead, he added.

Heavy shootings were heard on Friday night in the surroundings of Haiti's national palace in the capital of Port-au-Prince as armed groups targeted the presidential palace and attacked the police headquarters.

Caribbean leaders issued a call late Friday for an emergency meeting in Jamaica to address the security crisis caused by criminal gangs in Haiti, reports said.

The meeting is expected to actively pursue political dialogue in Haiti to form a transitional unity government and has invited the United States, Canada and France to join.

However, the efforts are faced with significant challenges. A statement released on Friday acknowledged that "the situation on the ground remains dire."

Since Feb. 29, Haitian armed groups have launched a wave of attacks in the capital, calling for resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)