The demonstrations have demanded the resignation of Police Director Leon Charles and the departure of President Jovenel Moïse. | Photo: EFE

Port au Prince, March 24 (RHC)-- The Haitian police reported Tuesday that it has lost 12 agents in less than a week during a failed anti-gang operation, and indicated that the most recent death occurred last Monday.

"The General Directorate of the Haitian National Police denounces the murder of police officer Pierre Mystal Richard and the shooting of another police officer by the terrorist group Fantom 509 on Monday," the entity said on its Twitter account.

Mystal Richard, a member of the specialized unit of the Intervention and Law Enforcement Corps (CIMO), is the latest victim to date in the ranks of the National Police. He was shot dead on Monday, March 22 during an altercation in Delmas between the police and the Fantom 509 group, which again took to the streets.

The protests are part of the political tension in the Caribbean country. These demonstrations have demanded the resignation of the Police Director, Leon Charles, the departure of President Jovenel Moïse and the end of kidnappings.

Argentinean journalist Lautaro Rivara highlighted, in an article of his authorship shared on his Twitter account, that since "Leon Charles assumed again the position of National Director of the Haitian National Police on November 18, 2020, at least nine anti-gang operations have been carried out."

According to the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration (CNDDR), there are more than 76 gangs operating throughout the national territory, as well as more than 500,000 weapons circulating illegally, Lautaro Rivara noted.