(Ottawa) Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced on Friday that new sanctions would be imposed on two more members of Haiti’s political elite.
Posted at 8:36
The subject of these new sanctions are former MP Arnel Bélizaire and Charles Saint-Rémy, a businessman linked to former President Michel Martelly and among 13 other people already sanctioned by Canada.
Both are prohibited from participating in or engaging in any financial transaction in Canada.
Minister Joly’s office says the former MP and businessman has used his status to protect and facilitate the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through drug trafficking and other acts of corruption.
Canada adds in a press release that these gangs and their supporters continue to terrorize vulnerable populations in Haiti with impunity, fueling the humanitarian crisis plunging the country, particularly marked by the resurgence of cholera. The State Department adds that the bandits also commit acts of violence against the affected population and prevent the provision of basic services and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
On the other hand, Canada condemns the militarization of sexual violence in Haiti, which is destroying the lives of so many people in the country.
Violent gangs have taken over the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, and Canada is hoping for a consensus in Haiti on how to help after the country’s unelected prime minister called for military intervention. Last month, Canada led a diplomatic mission aimed at promoting greater unity among key stakeholders to support a political path and process for democratic elections.
Last Wednesday, Canada flew a commercial shipment of special vehicles to Haiti.