The U.S. said it's waiving some international aid for Haiti, making an exemption for the Caribbean country as it continues to face relentless attacks from gangs.
Concretely, a Department of State spokesperson said Secretary Marco Rubio gave the green light for $40.7 million to the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support mission.
The country delivered on Tuesday heavy armored equipment for the multinational mission, led by Kenyan police officers. However, the United Nations did say on Tuesday that the U.S. notified about pausing a $13.3 million contribution. The State Department did not reject the pause but said it was a fraction of the total.
The freeze has already impacted operations, with the Miami Herald reporting that police advisers hired by the U.S. government to assist Haitian police and the international mission were laid off until further notice. Advisers from Canada also departed Port-au-Prince due to the cuts.
The developments come as gangs continue to make advancements. The neighborhood where most of Haiti's elite lives, Kenscoff, is currently under attack by gangs, adding to the fears that the entire capital could fall.
Mayor Jean Massillon told The Associated Press that the attack has been going on for over a week now, and that the neighborhood is currently surrounded. He added that gang members are going from home to home, opening fire indiscriminately.
At least 40 people have reportedly been killed during the attacks. Many victims are people who work in the neighborhood, mostly tending crops on its outskirts. However, authorities expect more as they haven't been able to reach certain areas where politicians and business leaders live.
Gangs are believed to control about 85% of Port-au-Prince at the moment, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning in late January that the city could be completely overrun without further international support.
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