Weeks before the latest violence broke out in Haiti, the self-described "king" of a Haitian gang was in a US court pleading guilty to smuggling AK47s and a .50 caliber rifle to the Caribbean nation. Police officers take part in an operation on the surroundings of the National Penitentiary following a fire, as a powerful gang leader in Haiti. Haiti has long been awash with guns smuggled in illegally from abroad, with the US likely a significant point of origin, according to experts. Haiti has no firearms or ammunition manufacturing capabilities and has laws restricting legal ownership. "Would the gangs in Haiti acquire them from somewhere else if weapons in the US were not available?

Source: Hindustan Times March 16, 2024 03:44 UTC