April 6-12, 2023 | Issue 9 - SOUTHCOM and Extremism Teams
Emma McCusker, Giulia Provenza, Liz Pérez
Álvaro Picón, Editor; Jennifer Loy, Chief Editor
Haiti[1]
Date: April 9, 2023
Location: Thomassin, Haiti
Parties involved: Haitian government; Haitian police; Haitian gangs; Ti Makak “Little Macaques” gang; civilians; international community; UN; Canada; USA
The event: The Ti Makak gang ambushed and executed three police officers near Haiti's capital in the latest attack against the police. Nearly two dozen officers have been executed this year, according to authorities. The latest killings occurred in Thomassin, a largely upper-class neighborhood just south of the capital of Port-au-Prince controlled by Ti Makak.[2]
Analysis & Implications:
The government will likely review the police budget to improve its resources, capabilities, and effectiveness. There is a roughly even chance that the government will tackle the state's instability through financial means to improve security measures against gang-related violence. This strategy is likely to be part of the government's efforts to fight high corruption levels and seek international support to increase law enforcement funding.
The UN will likely continue to urge the international community to provide humanitarian aid and additional military equipment to support Haiti. Due to increased gang violence and persistent displacement, humanitarian aid will very likely be used for alleviating cholera and food insecurity. The UN will likely take measures to ensure that the military equipment aid is carefully evaluated and not misused by gangs for their benefit. The Haitian government will very likely continue to request asylum rights for its citizens and humanitarian aid in the US or Canada.
Date: April 11, 2023
Location: Colombia
Parties involved: US; Panama; Colombia; Venezuelan migrants; Haitian migrants; Human traffickers, Terrorist groups
The event: The US, Panama, and Colombia have announced a 60-day campaign with efforts to “halt illegal immigration through the Darien Gap, a route through the jungle along the Colombia-Panama border. The 60-day campaign comprises plans to invest and reduce poverty in Colombian and Panamanian border communities.[3]
Analysis & Implications:
Migration will likely continue through the Darien Gap, making migrants remain vulnerable to human trafficking, violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation. The 60-day campaign will likely remove nonprofit organizations and individuals who provide services in this area, causing Venezuelan and Haitian migrants to engage with smuggling services to escape violence, political instability, and economic recession, making them easy targets for human traffickers.
The Colombian and Panamanian governments will very likely increase security and surveillance measures along their borders. There is a roughly even chance of setting up checkpoints and background checks along the border to prevent terrorist groups and migrant smugglers from operating in these areas. Colombia and Panama will likely strengthen ties with border countries to facilitate intelligence sharing, coordination of border security, and combat terrorism and illegal immigration.
[2] Haiti gang ambushes, kills 3 policemen as violence soars, AP News, April 2023. https://apnews.com/article/haiti-police-killed-gangs-8c6dbbee7a995b37241eb2d564433e0e
[3] US, Panama and Colombia aim to stop Darien Gap migration, Independent, April 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-panama-colombia-panama-city-alejandro-mayorkas-b2318125.html