MIAMI (AP) — US investigators say they have noticed an uptick in the amount and caliber of weapons being smuggled from Florida to Haiti in recent months.
Anthony Salisbury, chief of the Miami Homeland Security Investigations office, said agents are increasing their efforts to stop the trafficking, noting rising gang violence around Haiti's capital.
Salisbury said the guns seized include a .50 caliber sniper rifle that military snipers use and other machine guns not usually seen, adding that agents have noticed an increase in caliber and volume.
"It's incredibly disturbing," Salisbury said, "In the wrong hands, these weapons are capable of causing a vast amount of destruction.”
In July, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution renewing the mandate of a UN office in Haiti and calling on all countries to stop the transfer of small arms, light weapons and ammunition that could be fueling gang violence.
Homeland Security Investigations said it continues to investigate the uptick. The spike in violence comes as gangs grow in power following the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
But the gang wars have intensified in the past few weeks with gangs setting a church and a courthouse on fire, among other steps.
HOUSE RULES
- We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
- Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
- We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
- Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
- Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
- If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
- Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
