Colombia's Petro visits Haiti for a 2nd time to help bolster security as gang violence surges
Petro announced the opening of a Colombian embassy in Haiti and pledged to help Haiti strengthen its security.
Petro met with Haiti's prime minister and its transitional presidential council, which is under pressure to hold general elections before February 2026.
While officials met behind closed doors, a statement from Colombia's government noted they would review bilateral projects focused on security, commerce, education, agriculture and the fight against drug trafficking.
Petro's administration has offered to train Haitian officers, and Haitian delegations have visited a state-owned arms manufacturing company in Colombia to learn about its defense capabilities.
The two countries are strengthening their ties as judges in Haiti continue to interrogate 17 former Colombian soldiers accused in the July 2021 killing of President Jovenel Moïse.
Petro previously visited Haiti in late January, where he was received in the southern coastal city of Jacmel with much fanfare. Prior to his visit, Haitian officials invested some $3.8 million to more than double the runway at the airport in Jacmel, renovate the town and restore electricity to a population living in the dark for at least three years.
This time, Petro landed in Port-au-Prince, where 90% of the capital is under gang control. He was accompanied by officials including Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The officials arrived less than a week after Haitian authorities killed four suspected drug traffickers and confiscated more than 2,300 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of cocaine off the country's north coast.
It was a remarkable seizure for Haiti's National Police, which remains understaffed and underfunded as it works with Kenyan police leading a U.N.-backed mission to help quell gang violence.
While most of the violence is centered in Port-au-Prince, gangs have razed and seized control of a growing number of towns in Haiti's central region.
At least 4,864 people have been killed from October to the end of June across Haiti, with hundreds of others kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to a recent U.N. report.
Gang violence also has displaced 1.3 million people in recent years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
26 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Bulgarian authorities seize a large amount of cocaine hidden in a van
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarian border authorities said Sunday they have seized one of the largest hauls of cocaine from a Belgian-plated van en route to Turkey. According to customs officials, the nearly 206 kilograms (453 pounds) of cocaine was the largest seizure at Bulgaria's land border. A vehicle inspection led to the discovery of the drugs valued at 20 million euros ($22 million). The drugs were hidden in 179 sealed bags stashed among personal belongings in five suitcases. Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov identified the three people attempting to cross the border into Turkey as a 40-year-old diplomat from the Democratic Republic of Congo accredited in Belgium, a 54-year-old Belgian citizen and a 43-year-old Bulgarian driver. Stoyanov told reporters that they could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted on drug trafficking charges. An investigation has been launched together with partner organizations in other EU countries into the origins of the cocaine and its final recipients. Bulgaria, which has taken steps in recent years against drug trafficking, is considered a transit point on the Balkan drug-trafficking route, which is used to supply Western Europe with heroin from Asia and the Middle East, and with cocaine from Latin America.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Multi-day enforcement efforts led to several arrests, drug and gun seizures in Springfield
Multiple people were arrested, and several drugs and guns were seized during a 9-day initiative led by Springfield police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Between July 2 and July 11, the Springfield Police Division had a 'coordinated and proactive' enforcement effort in response to a recent increase in gun violence and criminal activity. TRENDING STORIES: 3 hospitalized, 1 with serious injuries, after crash in busy Dayton intersection UD student drowns in lake near hometown Uber driver shot 6 times after picking up 2 men, police say 'This collaborative effort united local, county, and state partners with a shared mission: to enhance safety, disrupt violent crime, and address drug trafficking networks in our community,' the division said. Several law enforcement agencies assisted Springfield police in this effort, including the Clark County Sheriff's Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Adult Parole Authority and Dayton DEA. 'These operations are part of our ongoing strategy to use safer tactics, modern technology, and data-driven enforcement to create a stronger, safer Springfield,' the division said. During the 9-day initiative, Springfield police officers executed a search warrant as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. Authorities seized 1 kilogram of cocaine, 1 kilogram of fentanyl, and 1 handgun. In a separate investigation, officers arrested one person for drug trafficking and recovered 3 guns, 80 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of fentanyl, and 20 grams of meth. The division shared the following results for its operation on July 8: 35 traffic stops 22 citations 1 OVI arrest 5 felony arrests 1 felony drug arrest 3 misdemeanor arrests 1 misdemeanor drug arrest 3 firearms seized 11 prescription pills seized 4 grams of suspected cocaine seized Additional information on those arrested during this initiative and where the operations took place was not immediately available. 'These operations are part of a larger strategy to proactively address the root causes of violence and prevent the devastating aftermath associated with drug trafficking and illegal firearms,' the division said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Colombia's Petro visits Haiti to help bolster security amid gang violence
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has travelled to Haiti for the second time this year in a significant show of support, as spiralling gang violence continues to plague the Caribbean country. Petro's visit, which began Friday, has focused on talks on security, commerce, education, agriculture and the fight against drug trafficking, the Colombian government said. Petro announced the opening of a Colombian embassy in the country's capital of Port-au-Prince. He has also pledged to help Haiti strengthen its security, offering to train Haitian officers. Haitian delegations have visited a state-owned arms manufacturing company in Colombia to learn about its defence capabilities. The Colombian government shared a brief clip of Petro speaking at the new embassy: 'The time has come to truly unite.' Translation: Finally, we have an embassy in Haiti. What forces in the Foreign Ministry were preventing the establishment of an embassy in the country from which our independence originated? Could it be because our freedom came from the Black slaves who liberated themselves? Petro landed in Port-au-Prince, where 90 percent of the capital is under gang control. He was accompanied by officials, including Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez. During his visit, Petro met with Haiti's Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime and its transitional presidential council, which is under pressure to hold general elections before February 2026. The officials arrived less than a week after Haitian authorities killed four suspected drug traffickers and confiscated more than 1,000kg (2,300lb) of cocaine off the country's north coast. The seizure was unexpectedly large for Haiti's National Police, which remains understaffed and underfunded as it works with Kenyan police leading a United Nations-backed mission to help quell gang most of the violence is centred in Port-au-Prince, gangs have razed and seized control of a growing number of towns in Haiti's central region. At least 4,864 people have been killed from October to the end of June across Haiti, with hundreds of others kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to a recent UN report. Gang violence has also displaced 1.3 million people in recent years. Petro previously visited Haiti in late January. Before his visit, Haitian officials invested some $3.8m to more than double the runway at the airport in the city of Jacmel, renovate the town and restore electricity to a population living in the dark for at least three years. The two countries are additionally strengthening their ties as judges in Haiti continue to interrogate 17 former Colombian soldiers accused in the July 2021 killing of President Jovenel Moise.
