Haitians skeptical of international ‘armed intervention’
A police officer fires tear gas at protesters during a protest to reject an international military force requested by the government and to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 17, 2022. The United Nations Security Council is evaluating the request by the Haitian government for the immediate deployment of foreign troops to help free Haiti from the grip of gangs that has caused a scarcity of fuel, water and other basic supplies.
The UN secretary-general sparked controversy on Monday when he called for an international “armed action” in Haiti to reopen a port closed by armed gangs. The US and Canada sent armored vehicles and other supplies to Haiti’s national police this past weekend, but some Haitians are skeptical. And many Central Americans who fled their homes last week during Hurricane Julia are returning and assessing the damage. Severe storms and flooding like this can lead to an increase in migration to the United States. Also, in northeastern Turkey last Friday, 41 people died in a coal mine explosion. Victims’ families and union organizers are calling for greater safety measures, but criticizing the state-run mine can be risky. Plus, Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka wins the Booker Prize.
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