Growing gang violence is devastating Haitians, with major crime at a new high, UN envoy says

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Haiti says growing gang violence is devastating the lives of its people, with major crimes rising to a new high. Maria Isabel Salvador told the U.N. Security Council on Monday that gangs engage in killings, sexual violence including collective rapes and mutilation, and kidnappings. She pointed to gang members posing as police officers last week to kidnap the secretary general of the High Transitional Council, which is responsible for ensuring that long-awaited elections are held. She said the security crisis is even more complex because vigilante groups that have taken the fight against the gangs into their own hands are still active and have carried out hundreds of lynchings.