P-au-P, July 4, 2024 [AlterPresse] — Russia and China have again denounced the lack of measures by the United States of America to prevent the flow of illicit weapons to Haiti, in interventions at a meeting, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN), on the crisis in Haiti.
The current arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council on Haiti does not prevent the flow of weapons to the country from the United States, deplores the representative of the Russian Federation, Vassily Nebenzia, during this meeting, followed by AlterPresse.
The main route for smuggling weapons is from Florida to Haiti, he notes.
Nebenzia criticizes the UN Council committee for refusing to use sanctions to tackle the problem.
“His current list includes five individuals who are leaders of criminal gangs. However, the activities of the criminal world are only a small part of the problem. In addition, the gangs do not have property or assets abroad and do not travel abroad, unlike American arms traffickers.”
Follow the AlterPresse/AlterRadio channel on WhatsApp – CLICK HERE
The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Friday morning, October 21, 2022, on a resolution establishing “a regime of specific sanctionstargeting armed gang leaders operating in Haiti and all those who support them,” with finances and weapons.
These restrictive measures consist of a travel ban, a freeze on assets and an arms embargo on non-state actors for these people, according to the text approved by 15 nations.
Armed groups continue to control the main entry and exit points of the capital as well as important transport facilities, the Russian Federation deplores.
It calls on the Multinational Security Support Mission to work in close coordination with national security forces.
For his part, noting the incessant flow of illicit weapons into Haiti, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, urged the UN to strengthen its arms control.
The Haitian National Police continues to seize weapons and ammunition from the United States, he recalled, stressing the importance of strengthening the capacities of the police institution.
The General Administration of Customs (AGD) reported having seized, on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Cap-Haïtien Customs Office (North), 12 assault rifles and 14 9 mm caliber pistols.following the customs inspection of a container from the United States of America, in a note on his account X.
999 cartridges, including 638 of 2.56 mm caliber, 278 of 9 mm caliber, 52 of 7.62 mm caliber and 36 of 40 caliber as well as 34 magazines were also confiscated.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield highlighted her country’s efforts to enforce the arms embargo and prevent the illicit flow of weapons to Haiti.
It calls on the UN Council to consider sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for actions that threaten peace and security in Haiti.
The United States also stressed “the need to promote accountability for past atrocities.”
They painted a grim picture of the crisis in Haiti, where nearly 5 million people are struggling with severe food insecurity.
“Food, water and medicine are often scarce and states must increase humanitarian assistance to those in need. Across the country, gangs have committed horrific atrocities, including murder, mass rape, abductions, forced recruitment, exploitation and trafficking of children.”
The United States reports coordinated attacks by armed gangs that have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. [emb apr 04/07/2024 14:20]
