United Nations Targeted at Haiti Group Leader in The Midst Of Turmoil

United Nations unanimously passes sanctions targeted at Haiti group leader in the midst of turmoil

The U.N. Security Council on Friday approved sanctions that allow it to put in place a freeze on assets as well as a travel ban and an arms embargo for any person who could threaten the stability or peace of Haiti and named the Caribbean nation's most powerful gangster as the first victim.

The council, which consists of 15 members, adopted the resolution in a unanimous vote. resolution that imposes sanctions against gang chief Jimmy Cherizier, a former policeman in the area known by his nickname "Barbecue."

The resolution was written through Mexico and the United States and Mexico.

"We're sending a strong message to the criminals who hold Haiti hostage that the world community will not sit and watch you cause havoc to those who belong to the Haitian populace," U.S. ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a speech following the vote of the council.

She explained the new sanctions regime as an "initial response to the pleas for assistance" from Haitians who are battling an increasing human-caused disaster. She added that an additional resolution is in the process of being written which could allow an non-U.N. task force to enhance security and allow aid to reach the devastated island nation, which is among the most deprived country in the Americas.

Thomas-Greenfield hasn't said when the document would be submitted to the council for a vote, however other diplomats have suggested that this could happen as soon in the next few days.

The resolution on Friday accuses Cherizier for taking part "in actions that could threaten the peace, security and security of Haiti" in addition to accusing the Haitian leader of violating human rights.

Last month, gangs commanded by Cherizier stopped the entryway of the Varreux fuel terminal located in front of the capital Port-au-Prince in protest of the government's decision to reduce fuel subsidies.

The diesel and gas supply has mostly drained since then, and Haitians are also facing a shortage of drinking water due to an outbreak of cholera that is deadly caused by the chaos triggered by the presidential assassination last year and devastating earthquake.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has proposed that "a quick intervention force" be dispatched to Haiti to assist the police in eliminating the threat posed by gangs according to a memo read by Reuters on Sunday.

The U.N. Mission in Haiti cooperates with the government to ensure stability as well as rights protection and justice reform. They also aid in organizing fair elections.

U.N. peacekeepers were deployed to Haiti in 2004 following an uprising that led to the demise and exile of the then-President Jean-Bertrand-Aristide.

Peacekeeping troops disbanded in 2017 , and they were replaced with U.N. police, who were removed in the year 2019.