The daughter and son-in-law of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker were killed in Haiti while doing missionary work, the lawmaker confirmed on Friday. Natalie Baker and Davy Lloyd were attacked by one of the country's numerous armed gangs, which control large swaths of the territory, especially the capital Port-au-Prince.
"My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. I'd never felt this kind of pain," said Baker, a Republican, in a Facebook post. He added in a subsequent publication that their bodies were taken to the embassy. "Thank you to everyone who is praying and offering condolences it's been overwhelming and we can't thank you enough," he said.
Former President and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump also shared the news on his social media platform, Truth Social. "God bless Davy and Natalie. What a tragedy. Haiti is completely out of control. Find the killers NOW!!!" he said.
According to Spanish news agency EFE, Natalie and Davy got married in August 2022 and moved to Haiti three months later. They worked with NGO Missions in Haiti Inc., founded by Davy's parents in the year 2000.
The news comes as an international force largely funded by the United States gears up to deploy in the country and begin fighting with the armed groups. Set to arrive this week, the force has seen a delay amid a lack of key equipment, the Miami Herald reported on Thursday.
The goal was for the Kenyan-led force to arrive in the country on Thursday, the day in which country president William Ruto was in Washington D.C. for a state visit to the White House. The long-delayed deployment is now likely to take place in June to make time for the arrival of armored vehicles and helicopters able to conduct medical evacuations.
The outlet quoted an official saying that rules of engagement have been agreed on by Kenya and the Haitian government, but the agreement hasn't yet been submitted to the UN's security council, a prerequisite for the mission to begin.
Another obstacle is accommodation for the force, an issue found by a Kenyan delegation that arrived in Haiti this week. Among the issues described are also a lack of communication equipment.
The force is expected to face fierce resistance, as armed organizations have significantly expanded their influence and capabilities, according to a report by The New York Times.
These organizations have entrenched themselves in key national infrastructure, including police stations and seaports, and have driven hundreds of thousands of people from the capital.
Security experts who spoke to the outlet also note that this mission will face a more formidable and unified gang network than any previous intervention in the Caribbean nation.
In a recent interview with NPR, gang leader Jimmy Chérizier said the criminal consortium is gearing up for a lengthy fight that will involve "a lot of bloodshed."
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