Canada sends more tanks to Haiti to support police response to gang crisis – National | 24CA News

The Canadian Armed Forces airlifted extra armoured autos to Haiti as police in Port-au-Prince battle to comprise a gang disaster.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau additionally mentioned Wednesday Canada is working with international locations within the area to plan attainable responses if the state of affairs additional deteriorates.

Port-au-Prince has been held hostage for months by violent, feuding gangs who’ve shut down roads and important providers, resulting in a resurgence of cholera.

The armoured autos have been bought by the Haitian authorities. It is the second such cargo since October, when each Canada and the U.S. despatched some armoured autos to Haiti.

The federal authorities launch on the second cargo didn’t say which firms made the tanks, how a lot they value or what number of have been despatched. However a authorities official, who was granted anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk publicly in regards to the matter, mentioned there have been three tanks, together with two of the identical mannequin.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Defence Minister Anita Anand mentioned in an announcement that the gear will assist the Haitian National Police.

Haiti’s unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry has beforehand requested a world navy intervention to regain management of the capital, a transfer controversial amongst Haitians.

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Trudeau instructed reporters Wednesday in Mexico City, the place he was attending a Canada-U.S.-Mexico leaders’ summit, that the tanks are a part of Canada’s response, which additionally contains humanitarian assist.

In addition, Ottawa is attempting to coax Haitian leaders to kind a political consensus on how the West can finest help the nation so it might probably maintain a reputable election.

Part of that features sanctions on high-profile Haitians alleged to have helped gangs thrive, which Trudeau claimed “have caused real response from the country’s elites in terms of allowing for greater stability.”

The U.S. has mentioned Canada can be a super nation to steer a navy intervention however Trudeau wouldn’t specify what Washington has requested Ottawa to do.

“We’re all very aware the things could get worse in Haiti, and that’s why Canada and partners, including the United States, are preparing various scenarios if it does start to get worse,” Trudeau mentioned.

“Right now, what is effective is empowerment of the Haitian National Police to solve the situation themselves, and support for the Haitian people,” he mentioned.

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