Jamaica prime minister endorses expansion of Haiti police as Kenyan-led mission struggles

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Wednesday that the escalating gang crisis in Haiti has reached a point that demands a rapid increase in the number of cops and equipment for the Haiti National Police to battle gangs that are on the verge of taking over the capital. Ultimately, the Haiti National Police “has to take on the gangs,” he said. “The present holding situation that we have is not necessarily moving the situation forward as we would all like.”

Holness’ comments came amid new protests and growing anxiety in Haiti about a possible takeover of the capital by armed gangs amid conflicts within the country’s political transition government and its police hierarchy. He made the comment after a high-level meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Kingston on Wednesday.

Read more: Miami Herald