Photo credit: The Haitian Times
Hundreds of residents in Port-au-Prince, Bellardere and Jeremie have taken to the streets to praise El Salvador’s strongman Nayib Bukele and call for forceful action against gangs that have seized communities and forced families from their homes. The demonstrations reflect the growing frustration with Haiti’s security crisis and a public appeal for foreign forces to help restore access to gang-controlled areas.
The Haitian Times reports that in Canape-Vert, demonstrators marched on Friday to criticize the Haitian government for failing to adequately equip and support the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H). Some said they had lost confidence in Haitian authorities and were placing their hopes in Bukele and the Salvadoran troops recently deployed to the country.
“We have reached our breaking point with these gangs. Long live Nayib Bukele,” said a woman holding tree branches.
Some demonstrators carried signs reading “We are Bukele,” waved tree branches, clapped and danced as they marched through Canape-Vert. They also chanted, “When they see Bukele, their hearts tremble,” and “Long live Bukele.”
Samuel Joasil, a police officer who heads the Canape-Vert self-defence group, said residents’ willingness to welcome foreign forces reflected their lack of confidence in Haiti’s security institutions.
“The administration has weakened all the institutions that have power, such as the police and the army,” Joasil said. “Now we feel vulnerable. So if a foreign force comes to support us, I am ready to stand with it and support it in any way I can.”
Bukele has drawn increased attention in Haiti since deploying about 2,000 Salvadoran soldiers following the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians – members of the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) – who were ambushed in Haiti. He has threatened gangs with major operations if they do not release the technicians alive.
