Haiti

The UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is calling on locals to cooperate with its troops and with members of the national police at roadblocks and other checkpoints being set up to try to combat widespread crime and insecurity. MINUSTAH has increased its logistical and material support to the national police in the wake of a recent surge in crime, particularly kidnappings. In other news, US Drug Enforcement Administration agents stormed the rural Haitian home of former rebel leader Guy Philippe on March 25 but the accused cocaine smuggler escaped for the second time in eight months. (UN News Service, Reuters)