Gangs continue gaining territory in Haiti, recently killing three police officers in the country's central region. Another officer is missing, The Associated Press reported.
The outlet noted that the policemen were members of a specialized unit known as UDMO, usually deployed during protests. Videos circulating on social media show gunmen dragging bodies near a burning armored vehicle. A fourth police officer is missing as well.
Haitian National Police lamented the deaths in a statement, adding that forces would intensify operations against gangs in the Artibonite region.
Meanwhile, local police union SPNH-17 called on the government to do more to protect police. "The government does not give the police any importance. If they took this seriously, they would have made the means and support available to the police and the military to end the insecurity," the union said.
However, Haitian forces have little to no resources and gangs continue making advances in the country. Ghada Fathy Waly, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, told the body's Security Council earlier this month that about 90% of Port-au-Prince is now under gang control. He added that areas that had so far escaped violence, like southern Haiti, are now seeing sharp increases in violence.
"And in the east, criminal groups are exploiting land routes, including key crossings like Belladere and Malpasse, where attacks against police and customs officials have been reported," the official added.
UN Assistance Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca added that the "ongoing gang encirclement of Porg-au-Prince is "pushing the situation closer to the brink." "Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario," he added.
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