Haitian Police Destroy Helicopter After Forced Landing During Anti-gang Operation
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - 2024/03/26 - A helicopter supporting a Haitian National Police operation against the 400 Mawozo gang was deliberately destroyed by its crew after being forced to make an emergency landing due to mechanical failure. The incident occurred during active clashes between law enforcement adn gang members, prompting the officers aboard to render the aircraft unusable to prevent its capture.
The downed helicopter was part of a task force engaged in ongoing efforts to combat escalating gang violence that has gripped Haiti, a crisis impacting the country’s stability and the safety of its citizens. With the recovery of the aircraft deemed unachievable given the prevailing insecurity, police opted to destroy it on-site, eliminating the risk of it falling into the hands of criminal organizations. This action underscores the extreme challenges Haitian security forces face in maintaining control and preventing the further strengthening of powerful gangs.
According to police reports, the helicopter experienced a mechanical issue that resulted in a forced landing. Following the landing, ground units successfully rescued the agents on board. Before evacuating the area, the team intentionally set the helicopter ablaze.
Authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the specifics of the operation targeting the 400 mawozo, but confirmed that intense confrontations between the task force and the gang are currently underway. The incident highlights the desperate measures being taken by haitian police to disrupt gang activity and secure the nation amidst a worsening security landscape.
