Investigations
Surge In Gang Violence Claims 131 Young Lives In Haiti
A staggering 131 children have been killed or injured in Haiti in the first six months of 2024, a 47% increase from the previous year, according to analysis of UN data by Save the Children. The devastating toll is a result of warring gangs, with children caught in the crossfire of machine gun assaults, targeted for suspected affiliations, or lynched by the public.
Diaspora Watch gathered that most of the children were hit by stray bullets when armed gangs launched machine gun assaults on their neighborhoods or battled with other armed groups and the police in the streets. A small but growing number of those children have been actively targeted out of suspicions they supported a local self-defense group, rival gang, or the police. Others were lynched by the public after being accused of committing minor offenses.
“We are at a loss for words when it comes to the unimaginable suffering children in Haiti are enduring. Entire neighborhoods have been burned, kidnappings and sexual assaults are rampant, and children are being directly targeted or caught in the crossfire,” said Chantal Sylvie Imbeault, Save the Children’s country director for Haiti.
Armed gangs control about 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have joined forces to oust acting prime minister Ariel Henry, laying siege to the international airport and torching police stations and hospitals. Haiti’s new acting leader, Garry Conille, took office in June after being appointed by a transitional council and has been trying to regain control, with 400 Kenyan police officers dispatched to the Caribbean country to help restore order.
However, analysts say the taskforce will need reinforcements to take on the gangs, and local groups have voiced concerns that their ranks are swelling with children who are being recruited to kidnap, loot, and murder. Haiti’s deep and rampant poverty makes it easy to convince children to take up arms or work as informants, say civil society groups. With one in two children regularly going hungry and schools often closed, the offer of regular food can be sufficient.
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“There’s a lot of young boys, and a lot of girls too, that are joining the gangs for security, but also because they don’t have any opportunities,” said Emmline Toussaint, from the Bureau de Nutrition et Développement (BND), which offers school meals to try to keep children in education and off the streets, where they are more likely to be recruited into taking up arms.
Save the Children released a statement in June warning that it believed more children would be at risk of being killed or seriously injured when international security forces were deployed to Haiti. Observers have voiced concerns that Kenyan officers with a chequered human rights record at home could be heavy-handed when trying to retake control of the country from the gangs, and Save the Children said it had not seen evidence that the security forces had measures in place to protect the children that live in gang-controlled slums.
“We still have serious concerns about the integration of child protection measures by the Multinational Security Support Mission. With armed groups in Haiti actively recruiting children, their safety cannot be an afterthought,” Imbeault said.
The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, and Chad have offered to send forces to Haiti to bolster the initial Kenyan deployment, but the security mission lacks the required international funding.
In a series of coordinated enforcement actions across the country, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested multiple noncitizens with serious criminal convictions, including violent and sexual offenses, drug trafficking, and crimes against children.
The agency says the individuals arrested had previously been convicted of crimes such as rape, manslaughter, sexual assault of minors, aggravated robbery, and weapons violations, and were residing in the U.S. without legal status.
“ICE remains committed to targeting and removing individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” an agency spokesperson said. “Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect American communities.”
Among those arrested:
Andrew Da Silva, 30, a citizen of Brazil, was taken into custody in Boston. He is a registered sex offender with convictions for second-degree child molestation and sexual assault in Providence, Rhode Island.
Gerber R. Rosil-Galdamez, 41, from Guatemala, was arrested in Buffalo. He has a rape conviction in Suffolk County, New York.
Aurelio Lopez-Vasquez, 44, a Mexican national, also arrested in Buffalo, has a conviction for sexual conduct against a child in Kings County, New York.
Jesus Flores, 49, of Mexico, was taken into custody in Buffalo. He has a manslaughter conviction from the Bronx.
Juan Humberto Perez, 56, of Mexico, was arrested in Chicago. He has been convicted of aggravated sexual battery and aggravated indecent liberties with a child in Kansas.
Glenda Iraheta, 29, from El Salvador, was arrested in Washington. She has a lengthy criminal record including 21 arrests and multiple convictions for theft, drug possession, and other offenses in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Sergio Soadri Morales, 36, a Mexican national, was arrested in Houston. He has a conviction for indecency with a child in Texas.
Jonathan Omar Calderon, 38, from Guatemala, was taken into custody in Los Angeles with a conviction for lewd acts with a child under 14.
Verner Arnoldo Perez-Ixcoy, 31, a Guatemalan citizen arrested in San Francisco, has ten criminal convictions including for sexual assault and assault with a deadly weapon.
Juan Manuel Parra-Reyes, 29, of Mexico, was arrested in Salt Lake City. He has a conviction for child sexual abuse.
Hai Tuan Pham, 51, from Vietnam, was arrested in Dallas. He has convictions for aggravated robbery and kidnapping with intent to commit sexual assault.
Demir Keco, 37, of Bosnia, was arrested in Boston. His record includes convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and illegal firearm possession.
Selbourne Larkin, 40, a Jamaican citizen, was arrested in Atlanta. He has 12 convictions, including for vehicular homicide and firearm possession by a felon.
Ulises Mendoza-Hernandez, 26, from Mexico, was arrested in Houston and convicted of continuous family violence.
Francisco Noyola-Luna, 37, also from Mexico, was arrested in Denver. He was convicted of fentanyl possession with intent to distribute.
Efrain Rojo-Chavez, 38, a Mexican citizen, was arrested in Houston for assault of a family member.
Jose Torres-Ordonez, 41, of Mexico, was arrested in San Antonio. He has a conviction for assault causing bodily injury in Texas.
Alvaro Gonzalez-Morales, 48, of Mexico, was taken into custody in Philadelphia. He was convicted of resisting arrest in Tennessee.
Navor Juan Cayetano, 37, of Mexico, arrested in San Diego, has convictions for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.
Alejandro Cruz-Velasquez, 30, from Cuba, was arrested in San Antonio with a conviction for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
ICE stated that all of the individuals arrested are subject to removal proceedings and will remain in custody pending further legal action.
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Investigations
Elon Musk’s $1 Million Giveaway Under DOJ Investigation for Potential Legal Violations
Elon Musk’s recent $1 million giveaway has drawn attention from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which is reportedly scrutinizing the legality of the contest. This giveaway, widely promoted on social media, promised substantial cash prizes to select followers but has now raised concerns about compliance with federal sweepstakes laws. The DOJ’s focus is on whether the giveaway followed proper disclosures and legal requirements, including fair entry rules and transparency. This legal scrutiny adds a new layer of complexity to Musk’s ventures, as he continues to attract both media and regulatory attention with high-profile initiatives. The case underscores the importance of adhering to regulations, even in promotional activities led by influential public figures. The outcome could impact future online giveaways hosted by prominent personalities.
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Cybersecurity and data protection are critical priorities as Africa advances in digital connectivity and innovation. With rapid growth in internet use and digital transformation across sectors, African countries are increasingly addressing cybersecurity challenges to protect citizens, businesses, and governments from cyber threats. Key initiatives focus on strengthening data protection laws, building cybersecurity infrastructure, and fostering a skilled workforce capable of responding to emerging threats. From securing personal data to safeguarding national infrastructures, African nations are taking proactive steps to ensure a safer, more resilient digital future. Join the conversation on how Africa is advancing in cybersecurity and protecting valuable data assets.
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