On the occasion of the 221st anniversary of the battle of Vertières, the president of the transitional council, Leslie Voltaire and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and members of the Government took advantage of the celebrations to inaugurate a new military base for the army, FAd’H. The new military base is aptly named Base Vertières, located in Tabarre, and inaugurated in the presence of government officials, the Police Commissioner, and military leaders. The anniversary celebration, held under the theme: “Avec l’esprit des Héros de Vertières, Haïti ne périra pas » paid tribute to the memory and courage of the virtuous heroes who fought to liberate the country. President Voltaire said it as time for all Haitians to come together to face all the challenges that prevent the country from moving forward. Inaugurating the military base, the President said this was a major step in the advancement of the “restoration of security in the country”, which is one of the 5 priority projects of the Transitional Council.
He called on the military to follow in the footsteps of the virtuous heroes of Vertières in order to help Haiti recover. Recalling that in the coming months, approximately 2,500 soldiers will receive training at the “Vertières Base” to help the country recover. The new FAd’H base is built on an area of more than 40,000 m2 and is designed to accommodate more than 2,000 soldiers and has suitable facilities, including a heliport to receive helicopters. The Chief of the Army, Derby Guerrier, thanked the CPT for this base given to the Army and counts on it to help find the means to enable the soldiers to recover all the areas under the control of the bandits. He called on all military personnel to do everything they can, like the soldiers who led the battle of Vertière, so that Haiti can recover.
Meanwhile as the gang violence rages on, a new transitional government composed of 18 ministers and a secretary of state took office this past Friday, November 16, 2024. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Villa d’Accueil, which serves as the temporary headquarters of the presidency. In their respective speeches, PM Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and President Leslie Voltaire, highlighted the context of aggravated crisis, in which the new ministerial cabinet is installed. According to them, the security situation requires an immediate and coordinated response, specifying that the main roads, occupied by gangs, must be liberated, and the hundreds of thousands of the displaced persons safely brought back to their homes. They argued that there’s no time to lose as this current government is taking office with a sense of urgency and seriousness, as the security situation deteriorates further with allied gangs of the Viv Ansanm gang are creating new deadly offensive in such neighborhoods as Delmas, Solino, Vivy Mitchell, Belle Ville, Tabarre, Torcel, and Pernier. Noting that the people are becoming more skeptical about government efforts which are not enough to stem the tide of bloodthirsty gangs becoming even more bold and aggressive, President Voltaire said they’ll work without wasting time to combat the latest attacks, while presenting his sympathies to the many victims. He asks the ministers and all the state officials to act accordingly to undo the grip of the gangs who seek to suffocate the capital.
Speaking on the violence, heavily armed members of the Viv Ansanm gang were at it yesterday Monday, when they went on a rampage in the Carrefour de l’aéroport area ransacking homes, looting, and setting fire to several houses and businesses, including Safari Motors. Other areas that fell to the gangs include Delmas 11, 13, 18, 19, 24 and 30. The police intervened to try to curtail the actions of these lawless individuals. According to the Assistant Spokesperson for the police, the PNH early this Tuesday morning intercepted a car transporting individual suspected of being gang members, with arms in Petion Ville, as heavy gunfire rang out in the neighborhood. According to the PNH, the suspects were trying to reach Pétion-Ville to commit acts of violence. During the operation, an armed clash broke out between law enforcement and the individuals aboard the truck, and the exchange of fire resulted in the death of the 28 suspects. After the police intervention, angry residents set fire to the bodies, expressing their frustration at the increase in insecurity and gang-related violence. The police are currently continuing their operations in the commune to find other suspects who are on the run. The situation remains tense in the commune where residents, still in shock, are trying to regain their calm after these significant events.
The Kraze Baryè gang also carried out targeted attack on the police academy on Monday, November 18, 2024. Residents of the area report that heavy gunfire caused panic, severely disrupting daily activities, including traffic on the Route de Frères. To counter this attack, police reacted quickly, preventing the attackers from taking control of the premises. But this group’s attack is not an isolated case. It is part of the criminal coalition Viv Ansanm, which has been multiplying acts of violence in recent weeks. This coalition operates with impunity, robbing, looting, and burning buildings in several neighborhoods of the capital such as Delmas 30, Nazon and Carrefour de l’aéroport. The attacks orchestrated by “Viv Ansanm” are exacerbating an already dire situation. Gang violence has caused the deaths of hundreds of people and forced thousands of families to abandon their homes, creating a major humanitarian crisis. This situation underscores the urgency for the Haitian authorities to consider a coordinated and effective response. Immediate action is essential to restore order and ensure the security of the population.
Finally, the low-cost airline Spirit Airlines, in financial difficulties for several months, has declared bankruptcy yesterday and placed itself under the protection of Chapter 11 of the American bankruptcy law. Flights, ticket sales, reservations and other operations are continuing normally, the company reported on its website on Monday, November 18. In addition, Spirit announced that it had reached an agreement with a majority of its creditors to remain in the low-cost flight market. There is risk of shortage of pharmaceutical products in the country due to the closure of the ports and airports. The country depends on imports for nearly 70% of its pharmaceutical needs. The almost total closure of ports and airports further complicates the supply. According to Pierre Hugues Saint-Jean, President of the Association of Pharmacists of Haiti, if the situation continues, pharmaceutical depots will soon no longer be able to supply health centers, threatening the continuity of treatment for thousands of patients.