Haiti’s leader requests foreign armed forces to quell chaos

Haiti's government has agreed to request the help of international troops as gangs and protesters paralyze the country and supplies of water, fuel and basic goods dwindle, according to a document published Friday.

The document, signed by Prime Minister Ariel Henry and 18 top-ranking officials, states that they are alarmed by "the risk of a major humanitarian crisis" that is threatening the life of many people.

It authorizes Henry to request from international partners "the immediate deployment of a specialized armed force, in sufficient quantity," to stop the crisis across the country caused partly by the "criminal actions of armed gangs."

"It is imperative to restart activities to avoid a complete asphyxiation of the national economy," the document states.

It wasn't clear if the request had been formally submitted, to whom it would be submitted and whether it would mean the activation of United Nations peacekeeping troops, whose mission ended five years ago after a troubled 11 years in Haiti.

On Friday, the U.S. Embassy warned that "U.S. citizens should depart Haiti now in light of the current health and security situation and infrastructure challenges." It also authorized the temporary departure of government personnel and their families.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said earlier in the day that the U.S. is considering a request for a humanitarian corridor to restore the distribution of fuel within Haiti and coordinating with Haiti's prime minister and other international partners to determine how best to provide additional support.

"We strongly condemn those who continue to block the distribution of fuel and other necessities to Haitian businesses," he said.

Patel would not address...