The government of Ottawa recently noted that Canada has sent a long-range patrol aircraft to Haiti to aid in the country’s struggle against violent gangs that rule huge portions of the Caribbean Island.
According to a joint announcement from Defense Minister Anita Anand and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, the aircraft is an air force CP-140 Aurora with observation, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities.
As part of its attempts “to disrupt the activities of gangs in Haiti and demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the Haitian people,” they said, the deployment was made.
According to the statement, the aircraft would stay in the area “for a number of days.”
It continued: “Canada is undertaking efforts to address the dire security situation in the country and supports the Haitian National Police.”
According to the statement, Canada was responding to a Haitian request for support “as violence continues to escalate in the country.”
It stated that Canada has placed penalties “on those responsible for the ongoing violence, including Haitian elites who are enabling the gangs.”
The Canadian air force “airlifted Haitian-purchased armored vehicles to the director general of the Haitian national police in response to requests from the Haitian government,” according to the statement, which was released last month and in October.
Due to a lack of resources and staff, the armed gangs in Haiti have overpowered the police, who frequently operate in silence.
Last month, the United Nations issued a warning, stating that gang-related violence had risen to levels unseen in decades.
The political and economic challenges are currently tearing the nation apart.
The Canadian statement read, “Canada will continue to support the people of Haiti and explore ways to help the Haitian people emerge from this crisis.”
