Pentagon sends anti-terrorism Marines to Haiti to beef up U.S. embassy security with country on brink of civil war
- The Elite FAST team was sent to Port-au-Prince when gangs took control
- Republican Rep. Cory Mills has evacuated 10 Americans who worked at an orphanage
- The Florida lawmaker claimed they had been “abandoned” by President Biden
More counter-terrorism Marines have been sent to Haiti to strengthen security at the US embassy, 24 hours after the prime minister announced his resignation.
The elite FAST team was dispatched as gang violence continued to wreak havoc on the streets and after gang leader Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier called for a ‘bloody revolution’.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned amid chaos that has brought the Caribbean country to the brink of civil war.
A Republican congressman helped rescue Americans stranded during the violence and blasted the Biden administration for a “pattern of abandonment” of American citizens.
A US Marine counter-terrorism unit has been sent to Haiti to strengthen security at the US embassy, 24 hours after the prime minister announced his resignation
The new team was sent in as gang violence caused chaos on the streets and after gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier called for a “bloody revolution”
Florida GOP Rep. Cory Mills brought along 10 American citizens who worked at the Have Faith Orphanage in Port-au-Prince.
“This mission reiterates a troubling reality under President Biden’s leadership: American lives are continually put at risk,” Mills said. “I have led missions several times to rescue Americans when Joe Biden abandoned them.
“There is a clear pattern of abandonment,” Mills said, referring to his rescue missions in Afghanistan during the chaotic 2021 withdrawal.
He also safely evacuated Americans from Israel in late 2023.
“Once again, this group was left behind by Biden and his State Department after asking for their help in the country
Heavily armed gangs have engaged in gun battles with police and soldiers, attempted to take over the airport and attacked government sites.
The US Southern Command said the fleet counter-terrorism security team, known as FAST, had been deployed to the embassy in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
The embassy is still open, but most staff have been flown out and operations are limited.
Heavily armed gangs have engaged in gun battles with police and soldiers, attempted to take over the airport and attacked government sites
Gangs are believed to control around 80 percent of the capital
“US Southern Command is prepared with a broad range of contingency plans to ensure the safety and security of American citizens in Haiti,” the US Southern Command added.
‘Barbecue’, a former police officer, has claimed responsibility for the wave of violence.
Gangs are believed to control around 80 percent of the capital.
It is estimated that there are more than 200 gangs active in Haiti, mainly in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.
More than twenty of them are based in the capital and rally around two main coalitions: G9 Family and Allies led by ‘Barbecue’; and G-Pep, led by Gabriel Jean-Pierre, who is an ally of Johnson André, leader of the 5 Seconds gang and known as ‘Izo’.
Prime Minister Henry has been unable to enter Haiti as the violence forced the closure of its airports. He arrived in Puerto Rico a week ago, where he announced his resignation in a recorded statement.