SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — One of that of Haiti The most powerful gangs said Friday they had contacted a government agency tasked with dismantling armed gangs in an effort for “peace, stability and national reconciliation.”
THE 400 Mawozo gang sent a three-page statement to the Associated Press emphasizing that “dialogue is not a capitulation” but rather an “act of patriotic responsibility aimed at preserving human lives.”
The United Nations and human rights groups have accused 400 Mawozo of raping, killing and kidnapping people, which they have denied. On November 1, gang leader Wilson Joseph told the AP that he had written to the UN secretary-general and requested that the organization send a delegation to Haiti for dialogue and mediation, fearing that the presence of Salvadoran troops could lead to a further escalation of violence.
The gang, which describes itself as a rebel group, said it planned to take part in a peaceful protest later this month “to lay the foundations for a national dialogue and peace negotiation process.”
“The future of Haiti cannot be built solely on clashes and military operations,” he declared.
The Haitian National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration told the AP that an individual had contacted it on behalf of the armed group, but that the commission was working in collaboration with the prime minister’s office. “For any dialogue with armed groups, we must follow the roadmap proposed by the government,” the commission said.
The letter was shared as Haitian police and foreign forces continue to battle gangs, with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announcing Friday evening that a gang leader had been killed, without identifying him. The Haitian National Police said the leader of the Boston gang, known as Mathias, was one of those killed in a joint operation with other law enforcement agencies. Mathias was a well-known gang leader who operated in Cité Soleil, a gang-controlled slum in Port-au-Prince.
“The gangs won’t sleep!” » the Prime Minister wrote on X.
Police said in a statement that several gang members were injured and killed during the operation, urging Haitians to hand over their “illegal weapons” so “they can turn their lives around.”
The AP contacted a 400 Mawozo spokesperson and asked if the gang was ready to lay down their arms.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not wish to be publicly identified to speak about the issues, responded that the gang was ready to engage in peace negotiations and that disarmament was a process.
When asked what 400 Mawozo were seeking in return, the person said peace and an end to what they called “international interference.”
The gang’s announcement comes just weeks after El Salvador deployed more than 2,000 troops to Haiti following the disappearance of four Salvadoran aeronautical technicians who was attacked on October 18 while in the heart of gang territory.
The United Nations has said that most Salvadoran personnel in Haiti operate outside the framework of the UN-backed gang suppression force who works with the Haitian police and army as well as with Vectus Globalthe private security company founded by Erik Prince, former founder of the US Navy SEAL and Blackwater.
The gang said it believes it would be “beneficial” for all “relevant military forces” to suspend operations targeting certain areas pending “the effective opening of a dialogue on peace and stability”.
“This period should offer an opportunity for de-escalation, protection of civilian populations and the search for a lasting political solution,” he wrote.
In his letter, 400 Mawozo expressed concern about social media posts “targeting” the home of Joseph, better known as Lanmò Sanjou, particularly comments attributed to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
On Friday, Bukele responded to a social media post in which he was tagged and allegedly showed Joseph’s house. “Where is this house? Give us the exact address and we will destroy it,” Bukele wrote on X.
In its letter, the gang describes Joseph’s house as “a symbol of peace as part of its de-escalation process” and calls on “all parties to respect international obligations related to the protection of civilians and civilian objects.”
The gang made reference to certain articles of the Geneva Conventions as well as the United Nations Charter.
El Salvador’s government declined to comment when contacted by the AP Friday evening.
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