Haitians protest for safety from escalating gang violence

Protesters in Haiti are demanding protection against rising gang violence in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Many of the demonstrators are people who have been displaced from their homes due to the violence. They have set up barricades in the streets and are calling for urgent action to improve security. Some are also asking for the resignation of members of the transitional presidential council. The situation has worsened following increased attacks by the Viv Ansanm gang alliance. These attacks have escalated since government forces began using drones armed with explosives to target gang hideouts. Reports indicate that at least two people were injured during the protests. The Haitian government has been asking for international security support since 2022. Recently, it requested a formal United Nations peacekeeping mission to help its under-staffed police force. However, this request has faced opposition from Russia and China. Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council is planning to discuss a new security support model. This would create a budgeted office to strengthen existing voluntary missions that are currently struggling due to a lack of funding and resources. Since mid-February, more than 42,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons in Haiti to over one million due to the ongoing violence.