State Won’t Negotiate With Gangs, Says Haiti’s PM

HAITI – Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé says his administration will not negotiate with criminal gangs, vowing a hard-line approach against armed groups destabilizing the country.

The remarks came during a visit to the headquarters of the Haitian National Police near Port-au-Prince’s international airport.

Fils-Aimé said restoring security and public order is the government’s top priority, stressing that the state will not compromise with criminals.

Armed gangs now control most of Port-au-Prince, a crisis that has displaced an estimated 1.3 million people and fueled famine-level hunger.

UNICEF reported in August that children make up roughly 50 percent of gang members in Haiti.