The head of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called for the immediate deployment of an international armed force to Haiti to contain the growing spiral of violence in the country.
In a document addressed to the UN Security Council on Saturday and to which AFP had access, Guterres called on member states to send a “rapid action force” to the Caribbean nation to combat “the dramatic deterioration in security”.
The letter was conceived a day after Haiti “formally” asked for international assistance to contain the serious security crisis caused by criminal gangs, which the national police have been unable to control.
Haiti, the poorest country on the American continent, is ravaged by a serious political, economic, health and security crisis that has paralyzed the government and caused a breakdown in law and order.
In his letter, Guterres emphasized the need to restore security to ensure access to supplies and services, safeguard road infrastructure and oil terminals, and address rampant gang violence.
“Addressing these goals is imperative if the country is to stop its spiral of instability,” he declared.
The UN chief called for the establishment of a force composed of personnel from the special armed forces of the organization’s member states.
In addition, Guterres reiterated his appeal in a public statement on Sunday, saying he “remains gravely concerned about the situation in Haiti,” where already dire humanitarian conditions risk being exacerbated by a cholera outbreak.
The UN warned on Thursday of a possible explosion of cholera cases in the country.
