Haiti: Attempt made to Arrest Guy Philippe in Les Cayes

DEA agents in several black helicopters patrolled the airspace over Les Cayes (209 km south of Port-au-Prince), while other agents raided the residence of Mr. Philippe in the Bergeau district at the entrance to the city.

The former presidential candidate from the FRN Party was not at home during the raid. His wife, an Ecuadorian national, was taken into custody and later released.

In Gonaïves (180 km north of Port-au-Prince), François Lavaud, who had been named in an international warrant, was arrested.

In the City of Independence people were talking about the fact that Mr. Lavaud had been imprisoned in the United States before being sent back to Haiti.

Residents of Les Cayes and Gonaïves say the difficulties facing the two men are connected to drug trafficking. Former police commissioner Guy Philippe, who took up residence in Les Cayes several months ago, headed the armed insurrection in January and February 2004 to overthrow President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Mr. Philippe received police training in Ecuador and settled in the Dominican Republic following the attack on the Police Academy in Port-au-Prince on July 28, 2001.

He has recently made sensational statements that have embarrassed political leaders and members of the business community linked to the anti-Aristide GNB campaign. Guy Philippe indicated that it was these very Haitians who came to get him in the Dominican Republic and who financed the armed campaign of January and February 2004.

A diplomatic source contacted by AHP refused to comment on the operations conducted this Monday. The source simply said that there will be no safe haven for any drug trafficker and that one of these days his turn will come.