International

Demand justice after massacre in Canaan, Haiti

Photo: AlterPress

August 30|

The National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (Rnddh) of Haiti called on the authorities of the Caribbean country to arrest and convict the perpetrators of the massacre perpetrated last Saturday in Canaan (north of Port-au-Prince), as well as all those involved.

According to Rnddh, the government commissioner before the civil court of Croix-des-Bouquets (northeast), Roosevelt Zamor, should initiate proceedings not only against pastor Marcorel Zidor, alias Marco, of the “Bethesda Evangelical Church”, but also against the leaders of the Haitian National Police (HNP).

They point out that as a public force, the HNP is responsible for the massacre, since it could have prevented what happened, they argue, while condemning the irresponsible behavior of the pastor.

In that direction, the executive director of Rnddh, Pierre Espérance wondered “Why did the pastor not go with the faithful to the stronghold of the Kraze baryè gang, led by Vitelhomme Innocent, not far from his church located in Caradeux, instead of heading towards another gang’s stronghold in Canaan?”

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According to Espérance, the pastor knew very well that this tragedy could happen, because it is impossible for the civilian population to succeed in dismantling armed gangs in the country without an agreement with the police, says Rnddh.

“Unfortunately, the Pnh stopped tracking armed gangs as of May 2023. This is what has allowed the gangs to return to power,” the text indicated.

They claim, in that sense, that the public force could prevent Pastor Marco’s followers from going to Canaan, because the latter have publicly announced their intention, the Rnddh maintains.

In a press release on Monday, the Armed Forces of Haiti (Fad’H) reported that they had not participated in any operation in Canaan during the past weekend: “If there are people wearing uniforms reminiscent of those of the army, we regret it”.

At least 10 people who participated in the march to evict the Canaan gang were killed and others were shot and wounded in the area by the gang, which also kidnapped several others.

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International

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

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International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.

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International

Trump administration to end special immigration operation in Minnesota

The administration of Donald Trump is bringing to a close its special operation targeting illegal immigration in the northern state of Minnesota, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday, following weeks of unrest and the fatal shootings of two activists by federal agents.

Thousands of federal officers had been deployed to Minnesota in December to carry out large-scale raids against undocumented immigrants.

The operations triggered strong reactions from residents and advocacy groups, leading to daily confrontations and the deaths of two people who were shot by federal agents.

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this special operation should end in Minnesota,” Homan said during a press conference in the state capital, Minneapolis.

“A significant drawdown began this week and will continue into next week,” he added.

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Homan indicated that similar enforcement efforts could be launched in other cities.

“Next week we will redeploy the agents currently here back to their home stations or to other parts of the country where they are needed. But we will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said.