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More counter-terrorism marines have been sent to Haiti to beef up security at the US embassy 24 hours after the prime minister announced his departure.
The elite squad was sent off as gang violence continued to cause bedlam on the streets and after gang leader Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier called for a ‘bloody revolution’.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned amid the chaos that has pushed the Caribbean nation to the brink of civil war.
A Republican congressman has helped rescue Americans stranded by the violence, criticizing the Biden administration for a ‘pattern of abandonment’.
A US Marine counter-terrorism unit has been sent to Haiti to beef up security at the US embassy 24 hours after the prime minister announced his departure.
The new team was dispatched as gang violence continued to cause bedlam in the streets and after gang leader Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier called for a ‘bloody revolution’
Florida GOP Rep. Cory Mills took 10 American citizens who worked at Have Faith Orphanage in Port-au-Prince.
“This mission reiterates a disturbing reality under President Biden’s leadership: American lives are constantly at risk,” Mills said. ‘I have led missions to save Americans several times when Joe Biden has abandoned them.
“There is a clear pattern of abandonment,” Mills said, citing his rescue missions in Afghanistan after the U.S. military drawdown in 2021 and the rescue of Americans from Israel in late 2023.
“Again, this group was left behind by Biden and his State Department after requesting their help in the country
Heavily armed gangs have engaged in firefights with police and soldiers, tried to seize the airport and targeted government seats.
The U.S. Southern Command said the Navy’s anti-terrorism security team, known as FAST, was deployed to the embassy in the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
The embassy is still open, but most staff have been evacuated and operations are limited.
Heavily armed gangs have engaged in firefights with police and soldiers, tried to seize the airport and targeted government seats
Gangs are believed to control about 80 percent of the capital
“US Southern Command is prepared with a wide range of contingency plans to ensure the safety and security of US citizens in Haiti,” US Southern Command added.
‘Barbecue’, a former police officer, has claimed responsibility for the rise in violence.
Gangs are believed to control about 80 percent of the capital.
More than 200 gangs are estimated to operate around Haiti, mostly in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.
More than 20 of them are based in the capital and gather around two main coalitions: the G9 family and allies led by ‘Barbecue’; and G-Pep, led by Gabriel Jean-Pierre, who is allied with Johnson André, leader of the 5 Seconds gang and known as ‘Izo.’
Prime Minister Henry has been unable to enter Haiti because the violence forced the closure of its airports. He arrived a week ago in Puerto Rico, where he announced his departure in a recorded statement.