International
Neighbors block streets in Port-au-Prince to protect themselves and prevent the entry of gangs
Many streets of Port-au-Prince are blocked with cars and trucks, with all kinds of objects that neighbors place to prevent the entry of armed gangs into their neighborhoods.
This is the situation that EFE found in the capital areas of Delmas 31 and Delmas 33, where the president of a neighborhood board, James Polimo, explained that it is the way they have to “self-protect” from gang violence, their attacks, killings, rapes and kidnappings.
According to Polimo to EFE, although in his neighborhood as such there are no gangs nearby, they are protected because recently members of armed groups tried to kidnap a person who works in the area.
The inhabitants, when they realized, had to cut the streets “so that they didn’t fall on him.”
Those blockages give the neighbors a greater sense of security and, he added, “although they are not one hundred percent protected, they feel safer than on the other side of the barrier.”
“Here 50 percent can sleep at night because they feel protected,” Polimo said in the face of extreme insecurity in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, largely under the control of gangs and in the midst of violence that has forced thousands of people to leave their homes and become displaced people within the city or to flee to other areas of the country or abroad.
Despite the difficulties that the cutting of streets entails for the neighbors when it comes to accessing the neighborhood, they don’t care because “when they enter, they feel safer than outside.”
He added that, if a member of the gangs decided to enter his neighborhood, “he could not be there for more than three minutes because the neighbors would catch him.”
When asked about how he sees the next deployment of the multinational security support mission, led by Kenya and approved by the UN, Polimo assured that it will be welcome, but considers that “the problem of Haiti is the same Haitians, who have to be together to be able to give security to the country and solve the problems.”
In his opinion, international troops come to Haiti to protect the country, but “we are the ones who have to stand ahead” when it comes to resolving the situation.
In early May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, Fred Mitchell, whose country will also send troops to Haiti, announced that the deployment of the multinational mission to restore security would begin on the 26th of this month.
Biden received Kenyan President William Ruto, on Thursday at the White House, and in fact raised the level of the bilateral alliance by designating the African country as a ‘main ally outside NATO’ for its leadership in that mission that will be deployed in Haiti.
At a press conference, Biden promised logistical support to the multinational security mission, but reiterated that the United States will not send soldiers to Haiti.
For the deployment of that force, which will be composed of about 2,500 members from countries from different continents, the Biden Administration committed 300 million dollars and calculated that the mission will have an annual cost of between 500 and 600 million, so it has pressured its allies to make more contributions.
The political, social and economic crisis and the escalation of violence have resulted in numerous changes in Haiti, with consequences such as Henry’s resignation and the creation of a Transitional Presidential Council, which should lead to the holding of presidential elections.
Last year alone, the violence caused 8,000 victims in Haiti, where the gangs control much of Port-au-Prince and other areas of the country.
International
Sheinbaum highlights anti-drug gains after U.S. says challenges remain
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday highlighted her government’s achievements in the fight against drug trafficking, after the United States said challenges remain in combating organized crime.
On Thursday, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente held talks with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following the meeting, the U.S. State Department said in a statement that “despite progress, challenges still exist” in addressing organized crime.
“There are very strong results from joint cooperation and from the work Mexico is doing: first, a 50% reduction in fentanyl seizures at the U.S. border,” Sheinbaum said during her regular morning press conference.
The president also said that authorities have seized nearly 320 tons of drugs and that there has been a “40% decrease in intentional homicides in Mexico” since the start of her administration on October 1, 2024.
Sheinbaum added that the United States should implement campaigns to reduce drug consumption within its territory and curb the flow of weapons into Mexico.
“There are many results and there will be more, but there must be mutual respect and shared responsibility, as well as respect for our sovereignties,” she said.
On Monday, Sheinbaum held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss security issues. She said she once again ruled out the presence of U.S. troops in Mexico to fight drug cartels.
Security has been a recurring issue used by Trump to threaten tariffs on Mexico and to pressure negotiations over the USMCA (T-MEC) free trade agreement, which are scheduled for 2026.
The agreement is crucial for Mexico’s economy, as about 80% of the country’s exports are destined for the United States.
International
Canada accuses Iran of killing its citizen during anti-government unrest
A Canadian citizen has died “at the hands of Iranian authorities,” the Canadian government said on Thursday, amid ongoing protests against the government in Tehran.
“I have just learned that a Canadian citizen has died in Iran at the hands of Iranian authorities,” Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, said, without providing further details. She added that Tehran’s response to what she described as “peaceful protests” has “led the regime to show a blatant disregard for human life.”
On Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on Iranian security officials and individuals linked to the country’s banking networks, accusing them of orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations and laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures following what were described as the largest anti-government protests in the history of the Islamic Republic, although demonstrations have reportedly eased in recent days amid heavy repression and a near week-long internet shutdown.
“The United States stands firmly with the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom and justice,” Bessent said in a statement, adding that the sanctions were imposed at the direction of President Donald Trump.
Those sanctioned include Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, whom Washington accused of coordinating the repression and the use of force against protesters.
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
Sheinbaum highlights anti-drug gains after U.S. says challenges remain
Canada accuses Iran of killing its citizen during anti-government unrest
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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