The unrest in Haiti

The unrest in Haiti  

The US does not want to lead an operation in Haiti - pressure Canada 

Haiti is in desperate need of help to push back the criminal gangs that have terrorized large parts of the country. The United States has proposed an international effort to support the island nation's police force. But there is a catch. The United States does not want to lead such an effort, reports the Washington Post.  

Instead, they are trying to persuade Canada to take the lead. In January, the White House said Canada was willing to hold the baton but now, a month later, Ottawa still hasn't taken on the task.  

An anonymous spokesperson for the UN Security Council is now calling on the world community to act. The source says that the situation in Haiti will not improve "without armed support from international partners".  

Haitian police during an operation against gang criminals. Odelyn Joseph / AP  

The unrest in Haiti  

Haiti's police force is pressured by the gangs: "Could collapse" The police force in Haiti is under siege and cannot defend itself or civilians against the criminal gangs, say representatives of the authority according to the New York Times. Twelve police officers were killed in January alone, says spokesman Gary Desrosiers. 

- If nothing is done, the police force could collapse within a few weeks, says Gesnel Morlant, spokesperson for the police union in the country.  

The Caribbean island nation has received help from the United States, Canada and several other countries to cope with the situation. But the country's police believe that more support is needed to push the gangs bac.