US ‘could deploy elite Marine squad’ to fight Haiti gangs as country descends into chaos

Original article here.

The United States military could deploy “elite Marine squads” to fight off Haitian gangs responsible for descending the country into chaos, according to a military official.

Contingency plans are in place to send members of the US armed forces over to the Caribbean country, which has seen a terrifying increase in violence following a 4,000-strong jail break.

Whether the US take action in Haiti is yet to be confirmed, though a top brass member of the Marine Corps has confirmed it could be possible to secure the Port Au Prince embassy, as well as parts of the city, using a platoon.

Major Mason Englehart said: “Deploying a FAST platoon is one option at the DoD’s disposal should the DoS request assistance with security at the U.S. Embassy in Port Au Prince.”

Their potential deployment comes as Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry struggles to cling to power and maintain order as 4,000 inmates were freed from the Port Au Prince National Prison. Haiti has since closed the country’s main international airport.

The U.S. Embassy has since urged Americans in the country to depart as soon as possible, saying it would be limiting its own operations from last Thursday (March 7), MarineCorpsTimes reported.

They confirmed: “Embassy operations may be further affected during the week because of gang-related violence and its effects on transportation and infrastructure.”

The US is not the only country to have considered aid responses for Haiti, with Kenyan police officers deployed to the country just recently. But White House press officer Karine Jean-Pierre says “there is no plan to bring U.S. forces into Haiti.”

Violent gangs in the area are believed to be eating “people they’ve killed” in the streets as violence continues to rage through the streets. A state of emergency has been declared in the country after gangs attacked two prisons, setting many criminals free. It is now thought that 80% of the Haitian capital is controlled by these gangs.