(CMR) Gunmen reportedly tried to kill Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry during an event on Sunday, 2 January, to mark the anniversary of the country's independence.
According to BBC, the incident happened as Mr. Henry took part in the ceremony at a church in the city of Gonaïves. Local gangs had reportedly warned the prime minister against attending any events in Gonaives.
The prime minister's office said, “bandits and terrorists” were behind the assassination attempt.
The attempted assassination comes months after President Jovenel Moïse was killed last July. This attempt to kill Henry has renewed concerns about the safety of officials in Haiti.
Mr. Henry had pledged to crack down on powerful gangs responsible for a large number of kidnappings and for seizing control of much of the gas distribution around the country, causing severe fuel shortages.
One person was killed, and two others were injured in the gunfight between the armed men and security forces on Saturday, local media reported.
Following the failed assassination attempt, the authorities canceled all other events dedicated to celebrating the anniversary of independence.
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