Haitian Leader Says Country Is 'At War,' Pleads For Help To Beat Gangs

The head of Haiti's presidential council pleaded for resources and help to beat the gangs controlling most of the capital, saying the country's "at war."

"Every minute lost means human lives sacrificed and an erosion of democracy," said Laurent Saint-Cyr at the United Nations' General Assembly in New York City.

The official went on to describe the country's situation as a "human tragedy at the doors of America... experiencing a war, a war between criminals that want to impose violence as their social order, and a population, an unarmed population, that is fighting for human dignity and freedom." "Haiti wants peace. Haiti expects peace. Haiti has the right to peace," he added.

The plea comes as the Trump administration warned that funding for UN-backed forces in Haiti can't be guaranteed if the Security Council doesn't approve its plan to expand the mission.

"The U.S. provision of support for the MSS (Multinational Security Support mission) and what we have been providing will expire at the end of December," said U.S. charge d'affaires in Haiti Henry Wooster, according to Reuters.

The U.S., along with Panama, proposed in August creating a "gang-suppression force" comprised of up to 5,500 uniformed personnel to face criminal organizations in the beleaguered Caribbean country.

The force, which would have arrest and detention power, as well as military-grade capabilities and lethal equipment, was proposed as current forces in the country continue to be unable to recover territory from gangs, which control most of Port-au-Prince.

The plan would see countries donating forces and funding, with some including Canada, El Salvador, the U.S. and Kenya providing "strategic direction."

The U.S. has been looking to shake up the status quo in Haiti as the Kenya-led mission has not been able to recover territory or help restore security in the country. Kenya President William Ruto told the outlet "we need more numbers," as well as "more logistics, equipment and financial support to be able to carry this through."