Canada has deployed a land and sea patrol military aircraft to Haiti to disrupt gang activity in Haiti, National Defense Minister Anita Anand and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement released Sunday. .
The deployment of the CP-140 Aurora long-range aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is intended to support the efforts of local authorities.
“Canada is providing this assistance in response to Haiti’s request for assistance, as violence continues to escalate in the country,” the statement said.
“This Canadian patrol aircraft will provide an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability to enhance efforts to establish and maintain peace and security for the people of Haiti. The CP-140 aircraft has already been deployed to the region and is currently operating over Haiti. He will stay in the area for a number of days. »
Funds and Sanctions
Canada has already provided more than $98 million in international assistance to meet the basic and urgent needs of the Haitian population, the Canadian government statement said. Ottawa has also imposed sanctions on people, particularly among the Haitian elite, suspected of supporting heavily armed criminal gangs who commit kidnappings, rapes and block access to essential services to the population.
Canada is committed to supporting the people of Haiti as well as peace and security in the country.
Former MP Arnel Bélizaire and Charles Saint-Rémy, a businessman associated with former President Michel Martelly, are among those sanctioned by Canada, banned from entering Canada or undertaking financial transactions in Canada. country.
“Canada is committed to supporting the people of Haiti as well as peace and security in the country. The deployment of a Canadian patrol aircraft will help strengthen the fight against criminal acts of violence and set the conditions for a peaceful and prosperous future,” said Minister of National Defense Anita Anand.
“The international community has a role to play in responding to the current humanitarian and security crisis, and Canada is determined to play a leadership role,” added Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.
Since last October, Canada has provided more than three armored vehicles to the Haitian National Police. The exact number of armored vehicles supplied to this Caribbean country has not been specified.