CNN
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Protesters and several police officers demonstrated at the Haitian prime minister’s official residence in the capital Port-au-Prince on Thursday, condemning recent police killings, according to one of the his question.
“Police officers and protesters are here to speak out. They are angry and we understand and listen to them,” the adviser told CNN, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the current situation.
Images on social media showed protesters outside the prime minister’s residence and at the country’s main airport, Toussaint Louverture International.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was returning to Haiti from a summit in Argentina on Thursday, was not at his residence at the time of the incident. He has not commented publicly on the protests.
Amid widespread insecurity and gang violence in the country, the killing of several police officers on duty this week has sparked outrage in the capital.
Six police officers were killed on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths over the past week to at least 10, according to a public statement by the Haitian National Police. Police did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
In a notice posted by police on Twitter on Thursday, Superintendent Frantz Elbé declared a state of “maximum alert” against the killings.
The international community has condemned the targeting of police in Haiti.
In a tweet, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti wrote that it “sends condolences to the families and friends of the brave officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and urges calmness to protect them.” protect the people and allow for a peaceful mourning time.”
The embassy also wrote: “We stand with the security forces as they fight against armed gangs to restore security to the people of Haiti.
The United Nations office in Haiti also tweeted “strongly condemns the deliberate and targeted attacks by armed gangs against police officers.”
