The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution to bar weapons sales in violence-hit Haiti.

The resolution, proposed by Mexico and the US on Friday, calls on UN member states to prohibit the sale of small arms, light weapons and ammunition to what it calls "non-state actors". China had proposed a full embargo on weapon sales, but it was rejected.

It has also made provisions for sanctions in the form of travel bans and asset freezes against Haiti's gang leaders and human rights abuses.

The Caribbean island is embroiled in a bitter feud between rival gangs in the Cité Soleil near the capital Port-au-Prince. According to data by the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office in Haiti, at least 99 people have died and more than 130 injured since last week.

On Saturday, the UN said 234 people were killed or injured by gang violence between July 8 and 12.

The city’s ill-equipped and understaffed police failed to thwart the violence and the residents have been trapped in their homes, unable to go out for even food and water.

Many victims fell to stray bullets as their makeshift houses are made of sheet metal, which offers little resistance. Moreover, ambulances were unable to reach those in need, AFP news agency reported.

"Most of the victims were not directly involved in gangs and were directly targeted by gang elements," UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/234-dead-thousands-trapped-without-food-water-or-fuel-haiti-descends-into-chaos-and-anarchy-498066" hreflang="en">234 dead, thousands trapped without food, water or fuel; Haiti descends into chaos and anarchy</a>

Laurence further said that incidents of sexual violence are also being reported across the country.

The poorest nation has been unable to contain gang violence that erupted since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse by mercenaries a year ago.

Apart from a spike in bloodshed, Haiti has also been gripped by soaring food prices and fuel shortages.

Hundreds of protesters staged a mass demonstration demanding urgent action to restore the supply of petrol after Haiti's main fuel terminal suspended its operations during a severe wave of gang violence last week.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution to bar weapons sales in violence-hit Haiti. The resolution, proposed by Mexico and the US on Friday, calls on UN member states to prohibit the sale of small arms, light weapons and ammunition to what it calls "non-state actors".

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution to bar weapons sales in violence-hit Haiti. The resolution, proposed by Mexico and the US on Friday, calls on UN member states to prohibit the sale of small arms, light weapons and ammunition to what it calls "non-state actors". China had proposed a full embargo on weapon sales, but it was rejected. It has also made provisions for sanctions in the form of travel bans and asset freezes against Haiti's gang leaders and human rights abuses. The Caribbean island is embroiled in a bitter feud between rival gangs in the Cité Soleil near the capital Port-au-Prince. According to data by the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office in Haiti, at least 99 people have died and more than 130 injured since last week. On Saturday, the UN said 234 people were killed or injured by gang violence between July 8 and 12. The city’s ill-equipped and understaffed police failed to thwart the violence and the residents have been trapped in their homes, unable to go out for even food and water. Many victims fell to stray bullets as their makeshift houses are made of sheet metal, which offers little resistance. Moreover, ambulances were unable to reach those in need, AFP news agency reported. "Most of the victims were not directly involved in gangs and were directly targeted by gang elements," UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said. Also read | 234 dead, thousands trapped without food, water or fuel; Haiti descends into chaos and anarchy Laurence further said that incidents of sexual violence are also being reported across the country. The poorest nation has been unable to contain gang violence that erupted since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse by mercenaries a year ago. Apart from a spike in bloodshed, Haiti has also been gripped by soaring food prices and fuel shortages. Hundreds of protesters staged a mass demonstration demanding urgent action to restore the supply of petrol after Haiti's main fuel terminal suspended its operations during a severe wave of gang violence last week. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Alarmed’ over Haiti gang violence, UN Security Council bars sale of small arms

More than a week after Haiti suffered a major earthquake, the country’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has vowed to conduct elections as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p>

"I am committed to doing everything in my power to put my country back on the rails of a functioning democracy with the organization as&nbsp;soon&nbsp;as&nbsp;possible&nbsp;of free and transparent&nbsp;elections,"&nbsp;Henry said in the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS).

<o:p></o:p>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exile-headquarters-why-is-miami-the-hotbed-of-latin-american-assassinations-and-coup-398853">Exile headquarters: Why is Miami the 'hotbed' of Latin American assassinations and coup?</a>

He has announced that the elections will, most probably, take place on November 07. The first round was earlier scheduled for September but keeping in mind the recent tragedies in the world, that would not have been possible.<o:p></o:p>

His assurance has come at a time when the country is still trying to re-build itself after a deadly 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the country last week which killed nearly 2,200 people and injured thousands of others.

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/over-2000-people-killed-in-haiti-earthquake-406788">WATCH&nbsp;</a></o:p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/over-2000-people-killed-in-haiti-earthquake-406788/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A little before the earthquake, the country was left in shock and chaos by assassination of their President Jovenel Moise in July. On July 07, Haiti President,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haiti-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-wife-injured-world-leaders-pay-tribute-396479">Jovenel Moise</a>, was assassinated in his home in the hills above Port-au-Prince, while his wife survived the attack. Moise was battling a public debate of whether his presidential term should in February 2021 or 2022.<o:p></o:p>

As of now, the legislative elections and a constitutional referendum, which was supported by the deceased President are set to take place on the same day.<o:p></o:p>

More than a week after Haiti suffered a major earthquake, the country’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has vowed to conduct elections as soon as possible. "I am committed to doing everything in my power to put my country back on the rails of a functioning democracy with the organization as soon as possible of free and transparent elections," Henry said in the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS).

More than a week after Haiti suffered a major earthquake, the country’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has vowed to conduct elections as soon as possible. "I am committed to doing everything in my power to put my country back on the rails of a functioning democracy with the organization as soon as possible of free and transparent elections," Henry said in the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS). Also read: Exile headquarters: Why is Miami the 'hotbed' of Latin American assassinations and coup? He has announced that the elections will, most probably, take place on November 07. The first round was earlier scheduled for September but keeping in mind the recent tragedies in the world, that would not have been possible. His assurance has come at a time when the country is still trying to re-build itself after a deadly 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the country last week which killed nearly 2,200 people and injured thousands of others. WATCH A little before the earthquake, the country was left in shock and chaos by assassination of their President Jovenel Moise in July. On July 07, Haiti President, Jovenel Moise, was assassinated in his home in the hills above Port-au-Prince, while his wife survived the attack. Moise was battling a public debate of whether his presidential term should in February 2021 or 2022. As of now, the legislative elections and a constitutional referendum, which was supported by the deceased President are set to take place on the same day.

Haiti PM promises elections to be held very soon, as country recovers from deadly earthquake

An earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people in Haiti had left the Caribbean nation "on its knees", Prime Minister Ariel Henry said on Wednesday, as survivors showed increasing frustration about the sluggish arrival of relief to hard-hit areas.

Henry had on Sunday flown to Les Cayes, the southwestern city of 100,000 people which bore the brunt of Saturday's magnitude 7.2 quake, and pledged a rapid increase in aid. But in a video address on Wednesday evening, he conceded Haiti was in trouble.

"Haiti is now on its knees," Henry said. "The earthquake that devastated a large part of the south of the country proves once again our limits, and how fragile we are."

Dozens of people went to Les Cayes airport demanding food after a helicopter arrived carrying supplies, a Reuters witness said. Police intervened to allow a truck carrying aid to leave.

Following another night of rains, residents in Les Cayes, including those camped in a mushrooming tent city in the city center, complained of scant assistance.

Haitian authorities said late on Wednesday that the official death toll had risen to 2,189.

Concern was also growing for more remote places outside Les Cayes such as Jeremie to the northwest, where access roads were damaged, videos on social media showed.

Pierre Cenel, a judge in Les Cayes, rebuked the government in Port-au-Prince.

"As a judge, I must not have a political opinion. But as a man, as a man concerned about the situation of my country, nothing is working. They didn't do anything to prepare for this disaster," Cenel said.

The poorest country in the Americas, Haiti is still recovering from a 2010 quake that killed over 200,000. The latest calamity hit just weeks after President Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July 7, plunging Haiti into political turmoil.

Jerry Chandler, head of Haiti's civil protection agency, told a news conference he knew aid had yet to reach many areas but officials were working hard to deliver it.

"The frustration and despair of the population is understood, but ... the population is asked not to block the convoys so that civil protection can do its job," he said.

There were at least 600,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance and 135,000 families displaced, Chandler said. The goal was to deliver aid to everyone in need within a week.

RISK OF DISEASE

In the tent city in Les Cayes displaced residents were getting worried.

"We need help," said Roosevelt Milford, a pastor speaking on radio on behalf of the hundreds camping out in soggy fields since the quake destroyed their homes.

Milford and others complained they lacked even the most basic provisions, such as food, clean drinking water, and shelter from the rain. Tanks of drinking water were destroyed during the quake, authorities said.

Tropical Storm Grace this week swept away many shelters and inundated the field.

Moril Jeudy, a community leader in Marigot south of Port-au-Prince, said while the town had emerged intact from the quake, Grace had flooded hundreds of homes, killed four people and left several more missing. And no help had arrived yet.

"Even the NGOs didn't come," he said.

Security concerns about gang-controlled areas on the route from the capital Port-au-Prince, slowed aid access.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said negotiations with armed groups had permitted a humanitarian convoy to reach Les Cayes.

Chandler said the government was increasing the number of aid convoys going by land, and aimed to reach three a day soon.

In L'Asile, a town of over 30,000 people 60 km (40 miles) northeast of Les Cayes, community leader Aldorf Hilaire said government help had yet to arrive, and survivors were relying on support from charities such as Doctors Without Borders.

"We are desperate," he told Reuters. "The springs are dirty: the water is not drinkable ... We had a bad night during the storm and the people need tents and tarps."

Authorities have said the earthquake killed at least 1,941 people and injured some 9,900 others, but with rescuers still pulling bodies from the rubble the tally looks set to rise.

In a rare piece of good news, 34 people had been rescued in the last two days, Chandler said. But hopes are fading.

An earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people in Haiti had left the Caribbean nation "on its knees", Prime Minister Ariel Henry said on Wednesday, as survivors showed increasing frustration about the sluggish arrival of relief to hard-hit areas.

An earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people in Haiti had left the Caribbean nation "on its knees", Prime Minister Ariel Henry said on Wednesday, as survivors showed increasing frustration about the sluggish arrival of relief to hard-hit areas. Henry had on Sunday flown to Les Cayes, the southwestern city of 100,000 people which bore the brunt of Saturday's magnitude 7.2 quake, and pledged a rapid increase in aid. But in a video address on Wednesday evening, he conceded Haiti was in trouble. "Haiti is now on its knees," Henry said. "The earthquake that devastated a large part of the south of the country proves once again our limits, and how fragile we are." Dozens of people went to Les Cayes airport demanding food after a helicopter arrived carrying supplies, a Reuters witness said. Police intervened to allow a truck carrying aid to leave. Following another night of rains, residents in Les Cayes, including those camped in a mushrooming tent city in the city center, complained of scant assistance. Haitian authorities said late on Wednesday that the official death toll had risen to 2,189. Concern was also growing for more remote places outside Les Cayes such as Jeremie to the northwest, where access roads were damaged, videos on social media showed. Pierre Cenel, a judge in Les Cayes, rebuked the government in Port-au-Prince. "As a judge, I must not have a political opinion. But as a man, as a man concerned about the situation of my country, nothing is working. They didn't do anything to prepare for this disaster," Cenel said. The poorest country in the Americas, Haiti is still recovering from a 2010 quake that killed over 200,000. The latest calamity hit just weeks after President Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July 7, plunging Haiti into political turmoil. Jerry Chandler, head of Haiti's civil protection agency, told a news conference he knew aid had yet to reach many areas but officials were working hard to deliver it. "The frustration and despair of the population is understood, but ... the population is asked not to block the convoys so that civil protection can do its job," he said. There were at least 600,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance and 135,000 families displaced, Chandler said. The goal was to deliver aid to everyone in need within a week. RISK OF DISEASE In the tent city in Les Cayes displaced residents were getting worried. "We need help," said Roosevelt Milford, a pastor speaking on radio on behalf of the hundreds camping out in soggy fields since the quake destroyed their homes. Milford and others complained they lacked even the most basic provisions, such as food, clean drinking water, and shelter from the rain. Tanks of drinking water were destroyed during the quake, authorities said. Tropical Storm Grace this week swept away many shelters and inundated the field. Moril Jeudy, a community leader in Marigot south of Port-au-Prince, said while the town had emerged intact from the quake, Grace had flooded hundreds of homes, killed four people and left several more missing. And no help had arrived yet. "Even the NGOs didn't come," he said. Security concerns about gang-controlled areas on the route from the capital Port-au-Prince, slowed aid access. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said negotiations with armed groups had permitted a humanitarian convoy to reach Les Cayes. Chandler said the government was increasing the number of aid convoys going by land, and aimed to reach three a day soon. In L'Asile, a town of over 30,000 people 60 km (40 miles) northeast of Les Cayes, community leader Aldorf Hilaire said government help had yet to arrive, and survivors were relying on support from charities such as Doctors Without Borders. "We are desperate," he told Reuters. "The springs are dirty: the water is not drinkable ... We had a bad night during the storm and the people need tents and tarps." Authorities have said the earthquake killed at least 1,941 people and injured some 9,900 others, but with rescuers still pulling bodies from the rubble the tally looks set to rise. In a rare piece of good news, 34 people had been rescued in the last two days, Chandler said. But hopes are fading.

Quake leaves Haiti 'on its knees' as impatience grows over lack of aid

On July 07, Haiti President, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haiti-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-wife-injured-world-leaders-pay-tribute-396479">Jovenel Moise</a>, was assassinated in his home in the hills above Port-au-Prince, while his wife survived the attack.

While the assassination was a shock, its connection to the city of Miami has not come as a surprise. The Miami-Florida connection of major criminals has been infamous for several years.

This time, too, the main suspect of Moise’s assassination, Christian Emmanuel Sanon, is a Haitian with a strong connection to the Miami area. Another detainee is a Haitian-American and the security firm, Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy (CTU), which has been accused of recruiting these criminals, is also reportedly based in the area near the Miami International airport.

<h3>Operation Gideon</h3>

While the Haitian authorities were busy nabbing the assassinators, the world worked on finding the similarities between this assassination and the raid on Venezuela in May 2020.

In late 2019, a former US army sergeant, Jordan Gourdreau, turned his Miami apartment into the headquarters of Operation Gideon. The 43-year-old used his years of experience as a green beret in Iraq and Afghanistan and mapped out a plan to overthrow and kidnap Venezuela’s President,&nbsp;Nicolás Maduro.

However, his dreams of carrying out a successful coup fell apart very soon and he found himself, along with his partner, being paraded by the Venezuelan authorities in the streets, to set an example. Reportedly, eight people were killed and more than 100 were arrested for this unsuccessful coup attempt.

The Haiti President’s assassination also played out close to the heart of the US' crime city.

<h3>Miami’s power-hungry groups</h3>

As years after years, Miami pops up in the investigations against such assassinations and coups, it makes one wonder what is it about Miami that leads all investigators back to this infamous and unlabelled ‘sin city’.

Miami, in general, has a lot of exile communities who have been dreaming about overthrowing the government of their home country and returning back to their beloved homeland. Add to that a large population of retired, military veterans experienced in areas of Latin America and the Caribbean, and a long history of corrupt politics — and you have the perfect recipe of mercenary missions.

The exile communities in the area operate in an autonomous fashion. These communities have their own internal leadership that holds more local power than the officially elected government. In addition to having their own political governance, communities also run their own radio stations and media houses that run their own agenda.&nbsp; This, in turn, affects voting in the official elections, too. For example, the existence of the Cuban and Venezuelan diaspora had played a huge part in swinging votes to Trump from Florida in the 2016 and 2020 US elections.

As many experts say, Miami is an area full of people aching to return to their homeland but on their own conditions and under their rule.

The coast from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, till West palm Beach is dominantly populated by Latin American states, mainly by Cuban, Haitian and Venezuelan communities. While the Cubans reside in areas of Little Havana, Haiti communities populate area towards the north and the area near Doral is mainly populated by Venezuelans.

<h3>Private security firms</h3>

In recent years, several private security firms have sprouted across South Florida. There are several private security firms being run by the former US special forces who are hoping to find a comfortable yet meaningful retirement in the area.

The firm which has been named for helping in the Haitian president’s assassination was also reported to having ties with the Miami security circle. However, these connections were not confirmed yet.

As per local media reports, the criminals had hoped to kidnap the deceased President and experts believe the plan was far worse than mere murder. However, the fact that the plan failed has only added chaos in the country, which was also suffering due to a staggering economy and dangerous pandemic.

Whether or not the connection to Miami was actually true is something that will soon be revealed in further investigations.

On July 07, Haiti President, Jovenel Moise, was assassinated in his home in the hills above Port-au-Prince, while his wife survived the attack. While the assassination was a shock, its connection to the city of Miami has not come as a surprise.

On July 07, Haiti President, Jovenel Moise, was assassinated in his home in the hills above Port-au-Prince, while his wife survived the attack. While the assassination was a shock, its connection to the city of Miami has not come as a surprise. The Miami-Florida connection of major criminals has been infamous for several years. This time, too, the main suspect of Moise’s assassination, Christian Emmanuel Sanon, is a Haitian with a strong connection to the Miami area. Another detainee is a Haitian-American and the security firm, Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy (CTU), which has been accused of recruiting these criminals, is also reportedly based in the area near the Miami International airport. Operation Gideon While the Haitian authorities were busy nabbing the assassinators, the world worked on finding the similarities between this assassination and the raid on Venezuela in May 2020. In late 2019, a former US army sergeant, Jordan Gourdreau, turned his Miami apartment into the headquarters of Operation Gideon. The 43-year-old used his years of experience as a green beret in Iraq and Afghanistan and mapped out a plan to overthrow and kidnap Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro. However, his dreams of carrying out a successful coup fell apart very soon and he found himself, along with his partner, being paraded by the Venezuelan authorities in the streets, to set an example. Reportedly, eight people were killed and more than 100 were arrested for this unsuccessful coup attempt. The Haiti President’s assassination also played out close to the heart of the US' crime city. Miami’s power-hungry groups As years after years, Miami pops up in the investigations against such assassinations and coups, it makes one wonder what is it about Miami that leads all investigators back to this infamous and unlabelled ‘sin city’. Miami, in general, has a lot of exile communities who have been dreaming about overthrowing the government of their home country and returning back to their beloved homeland. Add to that a large population of retired, military veterans experienced in areas of Latin America and the Caribbean, and a long history of corrupt politics — and you have the perfect recipe of mercenary missions. The exile communities in the area operate in an autonomous fashion. These communities have their own internal leadership that holds more local power than the officially elected government. In addition to having their own political governance, communities also run their own radio stations and media houses that run their own agenda. This, in turn, affects voting in the official elections, too. For example, the existence of the Cuban and Venezuelan diaspora had played a huge part in swinging votes to Trump from Florida in the 2016 and 2020 US elections. As many experts say, Miami is an area full of people aching to return to their homeland but on their own conditions and under their rule. The coast from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, till West palm Beach is dominantly populated by Latin American states, mainly by Cuban, Haitian and Venezuelan communities. While the Cubans reside in areas of Little Havana, Haiti communities populate area towards the north and the area near Doral is mainly populated by Venezuelans. Private security firms In recent years, several private security firms have sprouted across South Florida. There are several private security firms being run by the former US special forces who are hoping to find a comfortable yet meaningful retirement in the area. The firm which has been named for helping in the Haitian president’s assassination was also reported to having ties with the Miami security circle. However, these connections were not confirmed yet. As per local media reports, the criminals had hoped to kidnap the deceased President and experts believe the plan was far worse than mere murder. However, the fact that the plan failed has only added chaos in the country, which was also suffering due to a staggering economy and dangerous pandemic. Whether or not the connection to Miami was actually true is something that will soon be revealed in further investigations.

Exile headquarters: Why is Miami the 'hotbed' of Latin American assassinations and coup?

Military intervention in&nbsp;Haiti&nbsp;"is not on the agenda", France's foreign minister has said, following a Haitian request for international help with security.

The July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, which came during a period of heightened gang violence and political instability, has plunged the nation into confusion.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-moises-suspected-assassins-plead-innocence-us-agrees-to-tentatively-aid-haiti-397492">As Moise’s suspected assassins plead innocence, US agrees to tentatively aid Haiti</a>

Haiti&nbsp;asked the United States and United Nations to help secure key strategic sites following the attack, but France's Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday said the capital's airport and oil installations came under "police protection, not military".

Le Drian suggested France would be prepared to supply police if needed but said: "this must be done under the authority of the United Nations".

A dispatch of police officers "should be seen as part of a strengthening in the United Nations presence, which is currently insufficient, to be able to ensure the electoral process", he said outside a UN meeting on Libya and the protection of humanitarian workers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haitian-police-deny-link-of-interim-prime-minister-to-president-moises-assassination-398506">Haitian police deny link of interim prime minister to President Moise's assassination</a>

Paris and Washington intervened militarily in&nbsp;Haiti&nbsp;in 2004 during the downfall of ex-leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

A UN peacekeeping mission followed between 2004 and 2007, comprising around 9,000 soldiers.

In October 2017 a police mission, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in&nbsp;Haiti, took over and lasted until October 2019.

Any fresh UN operation would have to be authorized by the UN Security Council, according to several diplomats.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haiti-police-hold-presidents-palace-security-chief-398330">Haiti police hold president’s palace security chief</a>

On Thursday US President Joe Biden said sending American troops to&nbsp;Haiti&nbsp;was "not on the agenda".

Military intervention in Haiti "is not on the agenda", France's foreign minister has said, following a Haitian request for international help with security. The July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, which came during a period of heightened gang violence and political instability, has plunged the nation into confusion.

Military intervention in Haiti "is not on the agenda", France's foreign minister has said, following a Haitian request for international help with security. The July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, which came during a period of heightened gang violence and political instability, has plunged the nation into confusion. Also read | As Moise’s suspected assassins plead innocence, US agrees to tentatively aid Haiti Haiti asked the United States and United Nations to help secure key strategic sites following the attack, but France's Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday said the capital's airport and oil installations came under "police protection, not military". Le Drian suggested France would be prepared to supply police if needed but said: "this must be done under the authority of the United Nations". A dispatch of police officers "should be seen as part of a strengthening in the United Nations presence, which is currently insufficient, to be able to ensure the electoral process", he said outside a UN meeting on Libya and the protection of humanitarian workers. Also read | Haitian police deny link of interim prime minister to President Moise's assassination Paris and Washington intervened militarily in Haiti in 2004 during the downfall of ex-leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide. A UN peacekeeping mission followed between 2004 and 2007, comprising around 9,000 soldiers. In October 2017 a police mission, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, took over and lasted until October 2019. Any fresh UN operation would have to be authorized by the UN Security Council, according to several diplomats. Also read | Haiti police hold president’s palace security chief On Thursday US President Joe Biden said sending American troops to Haiti was "not on the agenda".

France says military intervention in Haiti 'not on agenda'

The head of palace security for President Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated last week at his home, was taken into police custody Thursday, deepening investigators’ focus into the possibility that Haitian insiders had eased the killers’ path.

The palace security chief, Dimitri Hérard, made several stopovers in the Colombian capital, Bogotá, in the months before the assassination. Haitian officials say a group of former soldiers from Colombia, whom they accuse of acting as mercenaries, played a central role in the killing.

On Thursday, the Pentagon also confirmed that some of those Colombian veterans had received training from the U.S. military, as part of a cooperation between security forces that has stretched for decades.

The revelations came as officials in Haiti, Colombia and the United States all raced to determine who was ultimately behind the assassination of Moïse, and the aims and means of the conspirators.

The detention of Hérard was confirmed by Marie Michelle Verrier, a spokeswoman for Haiti’s National Police.

Hérard was one of four members of the president’s security personnel whom the state prosecutor was planning to call in for questioning earlier this week, as questions remained over how the attackers managed to enter the heavily guarded home.

The head of the presidential guard and two other top bodyguards had also been called in for questioning, Bedford Claude, the chief public prosecutor in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, said earlier this week. He had issued summons for the four to appear as part of the investigation into the assassination.

Questions have focused on reports that none of Hérard’s security force fired a shot despite the approach of two dozen armed mercenaries, their entry into the presidential compound, and the eruption of gunfire that killed Moïse and seriously injured his wife.

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed that some of the Colombians had received training by the U.S. military as part of a long-term cooperation between the countries.

“A review of our training databases indicates that a small number of the Colombian individuals detained as part of this investigation had participated in past U.S. military training and education programs, while serving as active members of the Colombian Military Forces,” the spokesman, Lt. Col. Kenneth L. Hoffman, said in a statement.

The Pentagon’s review is still underway, said Hoffman, who declined to say exactly how many men received training, when or where they received it, and what the instruction entailed. A U.S. official said that the military has so far identified about half a dozen Colombians who previously received U.S. military instruction.

The disclosure that some the Colombian suspects had received U.S. military training was previously reported in The Washington Post.

The Pentagon, including its Army Green Berets, has conducted training for thousands of military service members in countries across Latin America over the past several decades. Colombia, in particular, has been a significant U.S. military partner for many years, receiving billions of dollars since 2000 in its effort to battle drug-trafficking organizations, leftist guerrillas and far-right paramilitary groups.

Some of the U.S. training of Colombian soldiers likely happened in Colombia. But among the men who had traveled to the U.S. for military training is Duberney Capador, 40, the man who was the chief recruiter of Colombians for the Haiti mission, according to dozens of interviews with family members of the recruits, and with men who were recruited by Capador but ended up not going to Haiti.

Capador is among the three Colombians killed in the aftermath of the assassination.

Capador had traveled to the U.S. to do “human rights” training, according to his sister, Yenny Carolina Capador. It is unclear whether Capador made any long-lasting contacts within the U.S. during that time.

U.S. military officials say the training emphasizes respect for human rights and compliance with the rule of law. U.S. lawmakers have long accused the Colombian military of targeting civilians, violating the laws of war and lacking accountability.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., was behind legislation that bars training or equipment to foreign troops or units who commit “gross human rights violations” like rape, murder or torture

“We want our training of foreign armies to build professionalism and respect for human rights, but we should not be naïve about the impact of our training,” Leahy said in a statement Thursday. “If a foreign army has a history of violating human rights, as Colombia’s does, it is hard to change that unless the perpetrators are punished.”

In Colombia, the defense minister said during a news conference this week that Hérard had transited through Bogotá six times this year on his way to other Latin American countries, stopping for two days or more on at least one occasion.

Last week, Hérard declined to respond to questions from The New York Times, texting: “Unfortunately, after consulting with my lawyer, I am not in a position to comment on this at the very moment as this is an open investigation and a matter of national security.”

When asked, he did not provide the name of his lawyer.

The head of palace security for President Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated last week at his home, was taken into police custody Thursday, deepening investigators’ focus into the possibility that Haitian insiders had eased the killers’ path.

The head of palace security for President Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated last week at his home, was taken into police custody Thursday, deepening investigators’ focus into the possibility that Haitian insiders had eased the killers’ path. The palace security chief, Dimitri Hérard, made several stopovers in the Colombian capital, Bogotá, in the months before the assassination. Haitian officials say a group of former soldiers from Colombia, whom they accuse of acting as mercenaries, played a central role in the killing. On Thursday, the Pentagon also confirmed that some of those Colombian veterans had received training from the U.S. military, as part of a cooperation between security forces that has stretched for decades. The revelations came as officials in Haiti, Colombia and the United States all raced to determine who was ultimately behind the assassination of Moïse, and the aims and means of the conspirators. The detention of Hérard was confirmed by Marie Michelle Verrier, a spokeswoman for Haiti’s National Police. Hérard was one of four members of the president’s security personnel whom the state prosecutor was planning to call in for questioning earlier this week, as questions remained over how the attackers managed to enter the heavily guarded home. The head of the presidential guard and two other top bodyguards had also been called in for questioning, Bedford Claude, the chief public prosecutor in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, said earlier this week. He had issued summons for the four to appear as part of the investigation into the assassination. Questions have focused on reports that none of Hérard’s security force fired a shot despite the approach of two dozen armed mercenaries, their entry into the presidential compound, and the eruption of gunfire that killed Moïse and seriously injured his wife. In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed that some of the Colombians had received training by the U.S. military as part of a long-term cooperation between the countries. “A review of our training databases indicates that a small number of the Colombian individuals detained as part of this investigation had participated in past U.S. military training and education programs, while serving as active members of the Colombian Military Forces,” the spokesman, Lt. Col. Kenneth L. Hoffman, said in a statement. The Pentagon’s review is still underway, said Hoffman, who declined to say exactly how many men received training, when or where they received it, and what the instruction entailed. A U.S. official said that the military has so far identified about half a dozen Colombians who previously received U.S. military instruction. The disclosure that some the Colombian suspects had received U.S. military training was previously reported in The Washington Post. The Pentagon, including its Army Green Berets, has conducted training for thousands of military service members in countries across Latin America over the past several decades. Colombia, in particular, has been a significant U.S. military partner for many years, receiving billions of dollars since 2000 in its effort to battle drug-trafficking organizations, leftist guerrillas and far-right paramilitary groups. Some of the U.S. training of Colombian soldiers likely happened in Colombia. But among the men who had traveled to the U.S. for military training is Duberney Capador, 40, the man who was the chief recruiter of Colombians for the Haiti mission, according to dozens of interviews with family members of the recruits, and with men who were recruited by Capador but ended up not going to Haiti. Capador is among the three Colombians killed in the aftermath of the assassination. Capador had traveled to the U.S. to do “human rights” training, according to his sister, Yenny Carolina Capador. It is unclear whether Capador made any long-lasting contacts within the U.S. during that time. U.S. military officials say the training emphasizes respect for human rights and compliance with the rule of law. U.S. lawmakers have long accused the Colombian military of targeting civilians, violating the laws of war and lacking accountability. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., was behind legislation that bars training or equipment to foreign troops or units who commit “gross human rights violations” like rape, murder or torture “We want our training of foreign armies to build professionalism and respect for human rights, but we should not be naïve about the impact of our training,” Leahy said in a statement Thursday. “If a foreign army has a history of violating human rights, as Colombia’s does, it is hard to change that unless the perpetrators are punished.” In Colombia, the defense minister said during a news conference this week that Hérard had transited through Bogotá six times this year on his way to other Latin American countries, stopping for two days or more on at least one occasion. Last week, Hérard declined to respond to questions from The New York Times, texting: “Unfortunately, after consulting with my lawyer, I am not in a position to comment on this at the very moment as this is an open investigation and a matter of national security.” When asked, he did not provide the name of his lawyer.

Haiti police hold president’s palace security chief

One of the Haitian-American men arrested on suspicion of taking part in the assassination of Haiti`s president last week had been an informant to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, a DEA official said on Monday. 
 
Haitian authorities last week arrested two Haitian-American men, Joseph Vincent, 55, and James Solages, 35, and charged them with joining 26 Colombians in the fatal attack on Haitian President Jovenel Moise. 
 
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to say which of the two men had been an informant. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haiti-president-jovenel-moise-assassinated-wife-injured-world-leaders-pay-tribute-396479">Haiti President Jovenel Moise assassinated, wife injured; World leaders pay tribute</a> 
 
"One of the suspects in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise was a confidential source to the DEA," the DEA official said in an email, adding that the suspect had reached out to the DEA after the assassination and that it urged him to surrender. "These individuals were not acting on behalf of DEA." 
 
The suspect was not an active informant at the time of the assassination, a law enforcement source said. 
 
A third Haitian American, Christian Emmanuel Sanon, was arrested on Sunday by Haitian authorities, who accused him of being a mastermind of the attack. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haiti-says-26-colombians-two-haitian-americans-among-group-that-killed-president-396838">Haiti says 26 Colombians, two Haitian Americans among group that killed president</a> 
 
US&nbsp;law enforcement and intelligence agencies are probing why the Haitian-American men may have taken part in the assassination. 
 
The US&nbsp;Justice Department said on Monday that it had been asked by Haiti to assist in the probe of Moise`s murder, and was doing so. 
 
"An initial assessment has been conducted in Haiti by senior U.S. officials," said spokesman Anthony Coley. "The department will also investigate whether there were any violations of U.S. criminal law in connection with this matter." 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haiti-asks-us-un-to-send-security-forces-to-stabilise-country-minister-397104">Haiti asks US, UN to send security forces to stabilise country: Minister</a> 
 
A source close to the investigation said Solages and Vincent told investigators they were translators for a Colombian commando unit that had an arrest warrant for Moise, but that when they arrived, they found Moise dead. 
 
Solages described himself online as a "certified diplomatic agent" and the former "chief commander of bodyguards" for the Canadian Embassy in Haiti. Those statements were made on the website of a charity he ran, which on Thursday removed them. Reuters reviewed an archived version that remains accessible. 
 
The Miami Herald quoted an unnamed government official as saying that a decade ago, Solages briefly worked for a company that provided security for the Canadian Embassy in Haiti. 
 
"We are aware of allegations implicating an individual who was briefly employed as a reserve bodyguard by a security company hired by Global Affairs Canada in 2010," the newspaper quoted the official as saying. 
 
Florida records show Solages has held security officer and firearm licenses. 
 
Few details have emerged about Vincent.

One of the Haitian-American men arrested on suspicion of taking part in the assassination of Haiti`s president last week had been an informant to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, a DEA official said on Monday.

One of the Haitian-American men arrested on suspicion of taking part in the assassination of Haiti`s president last week had been an informant to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, a DEA official said on Monday. Haitian authorities last week arrested two Haitian-American men, Joseph Vincent, 55, and James Solages, 35, and charged them with joining 26 Colombians in the fatal attack on Haitian President Jovenel Moise. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to say which of the two men had been an informant. Also read | Haiti President Jovenel Moise assassinated, wife injured; World leaders pay tribute "One of the suspects in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise was a confidential source to the DEA," the DEA official said in an email, adding that the suspect had reached out to the DEA after the assassination and that it urged him to surrender. "These individuals were not acting on behalf of DEA." The suspect was not an active informant at the time of the assassination, a law enforcement source said. A third Haitian American, Christian Emmanuel Sanon, was arrested on Sunday by Haitian authorities, who accused him of being a mastermind of the attack. Also read | Haiti says 26 Colombians, two Haitian Americans among group that killed president US law enforcement and intelligence agencies are probing why the Haitian-American men may have taken part in the assassination. The US Justice Department said on Monday that it had been asked by Haiti to assist in the probe of Moise`s murder, and was doing so. "An initial assessment has been conducted in Haiti by senior U.S. officials," said spokesman Anthony Coley. "The department will also investigate whether there were any violations of U.S. criminal law in connection with this matter." Also read | Haiti asks US, UN to send security forces to stabilise country: Minister A source close to the investigation said Solages and Vincent told investigators they were translators for a Colombian commando unit that had an arrest warrant for Moise, but that when they arrived, they found Moise dead. Solages described himself online as a "certified diplomatic agent" and the former "chief commander of bodyguards" for the Canadian Embassy in Haiti. Those statements were made on the website of a charity he ran, which on Thursday removed them. Reuters reviewed an archived version that remains accessible. The Miami Herald quoted an unnamed government official as saying that a decade ago, Solages briefly worked for a company that provided security for the Canadian Embassy in Haiti. "We are aware of allegations implicating an individual who was briefly employed as a reserve bodyguard by a security company hired by Global Affairs Canada in 2010," the newspaper quoted the official as saying. Florida records show Solages has held security officer and firearm licenses. Few details have emerged about Vincent.

Former US drug agency informant arrested in Haiti assassination, DEA source says