CARICOM condemns violence against police in Haiti 

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Haiti, February 2, 2023 – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has expressed what it described as deep concern over contrasting incidents involving the Haitian National Police that indicate the severity of the challenges that the police face, as well as a further breakdown in security in Haiti.

The concern comes as last week, police officers reportedly blocked streets and forced their way into Haiti’s main airport, where Prime Minster Ariel Henry was arriving from a trip to Argentina, to protest the recent killing of more than a dozen of their colleagues by armed gangs. The rioting officers blamed the government for not taking action.

In a statement on Saturday, January 28, the regional body said it strongly condemns the killing of police officers and expressed condolences to the families of the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, noting that “ the anger and dismay of the police at the gruesome killings of their colleagues, 78 killed since July 2021 and 14 to date this January, are shared by all.”

However, CARICOM shunned the police’s response and their actions against Prime Minster Henry.

“Abandoning the role of the security forces to protect every citizen and maintain public order further destabilizes the country. The protest actions by members of the police service against the Prime Minister cannot be condoned,” CARICOM said.

Adding that: “CARICOM urges the members of the Haitian National Police to safeguard peace and order and refrain from actions which could only serve to foster even greater damage to the country and its people.”