December 23, 2024
The security situation in Gressier continues to deteriorate as armed gangs openly defy law enforcement and civilians. On Monday July 1, Father Emmanuel Saintéliat, priest of the Saint-Jean Baptiste Parish, was kidnapped by criminals operating openly in the commune. This kidnapping is added to the growing list of acts of violence perpetrated by these thugs.
The Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince reacted strongly to this kidnapping, demanding the immediate release of the priest. In a note signed by Father Marc Henry Siméon, Director of the Archdiocese’s communications service, religious representatives call on the authorities to take concrete measures to put an end to the violence of armed gangs. They emphasize the urgency of restoring security to the region and protecting citizens and members of the clergy.
This request comes in an already tense context in Gressier, where the police station was recently attacked by bandits, leaving the population in a constant state of fear. At least 20 people were killed. The neighboring town, Carrefour, also suffered a similar attack, with the burning of the Saint-Charles police station by the “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition.
Prime Minister Garry Conille, currently on an official trip to the United States, has still not reacted to these coordinated attacks. His lack of response is seen as a weakness in the fight against gangs, posing a challenge not only for the Haitian National Police (PNH) but also for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission and himself as head of the Superior Council of the National Police.
The kidnapping of Father Emmanuel Saintéliat by criminal groups active in the Gressier region is a reminder of the escalation of violence and the ineffectiveness of current measures to counter this threat. The calls for action from the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince reflect the desperation and urgency felt by many Haitians in the face of an increasingly precarious security situation.