The vehicles turn up as Haiti grapples with rising gang violence, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
According to the Canadian Foreign Ministry, Canada has delivered armoured vehicles to Haiti to aid in the fight against criminal gangs as the Caribbean country faces a humanitarian crisis.
According to the report, the Canadian military aircraft were delivered to the Haitian National Police in the capital city of Port-au-Prince on Wednesday.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, Haitian gangs have taken control of much of the country, resulting in routine gun battles with police.
Hundreds died in turf battles last year and, in September, Haitian gangs blocked a fuel terminal for nearly six weeks, halting most economic activity.
Canada and the United States provided tactical and armoured vehicles, as well as other supplies, in October after Haiti urged the international community to send in a “specialised armed force”. Ottawa has also sanctioned Haitians accused of gang ties, including a former president, two ex-prime ministers and three high-profile entrepreneurs.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Mexico City on Wednesday that the sanctions and aid were “making a difference”.
“We’re all very aware that things could get worse in Haiti and that’s why Canada and partners, including the United States, are preparing various scenarios if it does start to get worse,” he said.
Canada will continue to provide support, Trudeau said, but he emphasised the Haitian crisis must be resolved domestically. Trudeau’s comments came as he attended the North American Leaders’ Summit along with US President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
“What is particularly important in this situation is that the Haitian people themselves be at the centre of the support, the building of stability and the resolution of the crisis in Haiti right now,” Trudeau said.
Source: Aljazeera.com