A deadly firefight between a gang and police in Port-Au-Prince is just the latest example of how Haitian gangs have grown in power and expanded in reach, leaving much of the population terrorized.
While the United Nations estimates that 60% of Port-Au-Prince is controlled by the gangs, nowadays most Haitians on the street reckon that number is closer to 100%.
Powerful gangs have taken advantage of the political chaos and discontent with the current government led by Prime Minister Ariel Henry to further consolidate their control. Jolicoeur Allande Serge, director of the police unit that was attacked, said the Friday blitz in the Petion-Ville neighbhood was a sign of that. He noted that moving into upper class areas “benefits economic interests.”
Tensions remained high Saturday, and in the afternoon Serge stood among a pack of armored trucks dented with bullet strikes. Officers holding automatic weapons, their faces covered by black masks, bustled about.
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