A new video released by the Haitian police a few days ago suggests that a notorious gang leader, Vitel’homme Innocent, who has a $2 million bounty on his head, was under attack and running for cover. Other footage the authorities released last month showed explosions coming from the sky.
The unspoken message was clear: The Haitian government, armed with drones, is committed to taking the streets back from violent criminals. Drones fitted with explosives are Haiti’s latest desperate effort to curb rampant violence that has forced 1.3 million people from their homes.
After more than three months of drone strikes in Haiti’s capital, most of which is under gang control, attacks appear to have lessened. But no gang territory has been retaken, and though one top gang leader was reported to have been wounded recently, not a single high-value target has been killed or captured. Now, in a surprising rebuke, the Canadian police, which has provided drones to Haiti, are calling the government’s strikes illegal.
Drone strikes have reportedly killed more than 300 gang members in Port-au-Prince, the capital, according to a leading human rights group. Gangs have retaliated against the attacks by killing at least four civilians.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why are drones being used?
The Haitian government has been fighting a losing battle against Viv Ansanm, a coalition of gangs that formed last year and attacked government institutions like police stations and jails. The gangs, which raise money through extortion, kidnappings and tolls at illegal roadblocks, now control more than 80 percent of Port-au-Prince.