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Haitian government denies recruiting mercenaries
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Feb 19, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Haiti’s embattled government
denied Monday that it has hired foreign mercenaries, after the arrest of
Americans and other armed foreign nationals.
The group was detained in Port-au-Prince Sunday and includes five
Americans, a Serb, a Russian and a Haitian, police said, adding that they had
military grade weapons.
They gave no indication about the motives of the group and said
interrogations will continue.
The arrests came 10 days after protests began against corruption and
poverty in the Caribbean nation. At least seven people have died during
demonstrations demanding the ouster of President Jovenel Moise.
Secretary of State for Communication Eddy Jackson Alexis denied reports
that the detainees are mercenaries.
“The executive branch would not know how to hire mercenaries to come and
terrorize a population that gave us a mandate to rule and which we have the
responsibility to serve,” he told AFP.
The arrests raised suspicions as Haiti endures a period of political
instability.
“Seeing such an arsenal in the hands of foreigners, men who do not have
authorization to go around with such powerful weapons, surely raises
concerns, the minister said.
An investigation is under way.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1350 hrs