Guterres concerned about the “nightmare” situation in Haiti

Haiti lives in an “absolutely nightmarish” situation, the secretary general of the UN, Anthony Guterresrepeating, before a meeting of the Security Council, his call to send an international armed force to the Caribbean nation.

“The situation is absolutely dramatic. The port is blocked by gangs that prevent fuel from leaving (…) As there is no fuel, there is no water. And there’s an outbreak of cholera.”whose treatment requires good hydration, told reporters.

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“So it’s an absolutely nightmarish situation for the people of Haiti, especially in Port-au-Prince,” the capital, he added.

The oil terminal Varreuxthe most important of Haitihas been blocked by armed criminal gangs since mid-September, paralyzing the entire country.

In this context, the secretary general recently called in a letter to the Security Council to “Urgently examine the Haitian government’s request to promptly deploy a specialized international armed force to deal with the humanitarian crisis.”

Thousands of Haitians demonstrated the next day in the streets to denounce the government’s request for foreign aid.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on Oct. 10, 2022, a man walks past a burning barricade during a protest against Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry calling for his resignation, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Photo by Richard Pierrin / AFP) (RICHARD PIERRIN /)

“In the current circumstances, we need an armed action to liberate the port and allow a humanitarian corridor to be established”insisted on Monday Guterres.

“I am talking about something that must be done with strict humanitarian criteria, regardless of the political dimensions of the problem that must be resolved by the Haitians themselves”accurate.

The Security Council of the UN plans to discuss the situation in Haiti on Monday afternoon.

According to a draft resolution obtained by AFP, still under discussion and to be put to a vote later, Council members could “to encourage” to governments to “urgently consider” the deployment of a multinational force in Haiti.

A motorcycle taxi takes a woman who bought products in a market, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on October 8, 2022. (Photo by Carvens Adelson / EFE)

The text focuses mainly on the establishment of an arms embargo “selective”, aimed at certain people and entities.

It also provides for a travel ban and the freezing of assets of individuals and entities linked to armed groups and criminal networks.

MORE INFORMATION: Hunger and violence are pushing Haiti to a ‘tipping point’, UN warns

The only one mentioned is Jimmy Cherizier, nicknamed “Barbecue”, “one of the most influential gang leaders”whose gang blocks the Varreux terminal.

Regarding cholera, which returned to Haiti after three years of absence, the spokesman for Guterres reported on Monday 66 confirmed cases, another 564 suspected cases and 22 deaths, especially in and around Port-au-Prince.

To these cases are added those of the capital prison: 271 suspected cases, 12 confirmed, and 14 deaths.

Source: Elcomercio