The Haitian police rebel commando, known as Fantom 509, on Tuesday threatened to ‘set fire’ to the country if the criminal gangs do not return the bodies of their murdered comrades, whose remains have not been returned for ‘mystical reasons’. authorities criminals.
Last Tuesday, a demonstration by security forces agents took place in the streets of Port-au-Prince demanding the return of the bodies of their five comrades who died in an operation against these groups on March 13 in the Village area. . De Dieu, in southwestern Haiti.
“If they don’t give us the police bodies, we’re going to burn this country. God forbid if they don’t give us the bodies after 24 hours. We’re going after them,” police sources have warned. digital media ‘The Haitian Times’.
The Fantom 509s were born in the heat of the agents’ mobilizations for salary improvements, economic bonuses and the right to unionize. However, they radicalized their protests and even attacked public institutions and set fire to state vehicles.
In previous protests, this police faction, which organized violent protests in 2020, demanded a basic salary of 50,000 gourdes (about 530 euros) and a debit card of 25,000 more (about 270 euros). The government confirms that it does not have the resources for this increase.
Police officer Lionel Lazarre has accused one of his superiors in the media of “deliberately” sending his colleagues to this operation, knowing they would be ambushed.
In addition to the five dead, whose bodies were dragged and beaten, eight other officers were injured and several armored vehicles were stolen from the authorities.
The ‘The Haitian Times’ shared a video in which a voice can be heard that is said to belong to that of the head of the band operating in Village de Dieu, whom they identify as ‘Izo’. The recording assures that the agents were given “burial”, but their bodies had to be preserved for “mystical reasons.”
For his part, Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moise, announced via Twitter that he has signed a decree for the police and military to work together to address and stop civilian insecurity, after holding a council of extraordinary ministers.
“This decree enables the competent authorities to mobilize any external support necessary for the fulfillment of their mission,” explains Moise, who has also requested support from the Organization of American States (OAS) in this regard.