UN requests special armed forces deployment to Haiti

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and the Haitian government on Monday called for an international specialized armed force to be deployed to Haiti amid continued unrest. The recommendation was issued as part of a report from the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti that highlighted ongoing gang-related violence and human rights violations. Guterres has also called on international governments to consider halting deportations of individuals from Haiti, as the island is experiencing a deadly cholera outbreak and food shortages.

What else is being done to support the country? The United States on Tuesday said it will propose further targets in Haiti for U.N. sanctions. The sanctions were first imposed in October and placed asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes on anyone who threatened peace or stability in the country, including gang leaders. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry plans to hold general elections and appointed a council to oversee reforms last week.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard’s report on The World and Everything in It podcast about Haiti’s ongoing crisis.