Police Kill 4 Environmental Agents in Haiti Amid Protests

Police in Haiti killed at least four armed environmental protection agents during ongoing protests in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The clashes occurred on Wednesday amidst demands for Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign. According to Lionel Lazarre, head of a police union, the shooting took place in the Laboule community of Port-au-Prince. The police claimed that the environmental agents opened fire when asked to drop their weapons, leading to a confrontation. The exact details and circumstances of the incident could not be independently verified at the time. The Security Brigade for Protected Areas, to which the agents belonged, could not be reached for comment. The environmental division has faced scrutiny recently following clashes with the police in northern Haiti. The protests and clashes have resulted in the paralysis of the country, with demonstrations intensifying and calls for the prime minister’s resignation growing. The tensions in Haiti have further escalated as former rebel leader Guy Philippe, who played a key role in the 2004 ousting of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, made a surprise appearance in Port-au-Prince. Philippe vowed to be out on the streets on Wednesday, but his whereabouts were not reported. The demands for the prime minister’s resignation are rooted in historical significance, as Haitians associate February 7th with significant political events, including the ousting of former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier in 1986 and the swearing-in of Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1991 as the country’s first democratically-elected president. The protests and clashes continue to escalate, with tear gas and live bullets used by officials to disperse the crowds in other parts of Port-au-Prince. The police were seen towing a pickup truck with the environmental agency’s name, which had several bullet holes in its windshield. The National Police spokesman, Garry Desrosiers, did not respond to requests for comments regarding the incident. As the situation unfolds, authorities and stakeholders will be closely monitoring the ongoing protests and calls for the prime minister’s resignation.