HAITI: Journalists demand justice as they bury their second colleague

Port Au Prince (Haiti): The young boy wore a suit and bow tie to his stepfather’s funeral on Saturday, where he demanded a handkerchief and wiped tears off his mother’s face as they buried Marckendy Natoux, one of two journalists killed by gangs in Haiti.

Natoux was fatally shot on Christmas Eve in one of the worst attacks on the press in the troubled Caribbean country, with gangs opening fire during what was supposed to be the reopening of Haiti’s largest public hospital.

The 42-year-old father of two children spoke four languages and worked for several local and US media outlets. He also taught English and Spanish and was known for his kindness.

“Natoux was a protector of journalists,” recalled Oriol Jacklin, a journalist with Radio Regard FM. “He worked with everyone and respected everybody.”

Natoux did marketing for Voice of America’s Creole service and worked for the US Agency for Global Media and the Boston Caribbean Network, among others.

On December 24, he travelled to downtown Port-au-Prince with other journalists to cover the anticipated reopening of Haiti’s General Hospital, which gangs had pillaged. Shortly after he arrived, gunmen opened fire.

“He was killed for bringing news to the world,” said Natoux’s colleague, René Celias.

Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs, which have taken control of 85 per cent of Port-au-Prince, posted a video on social media claiming responsibility. He said he had not authorised the hospital’s reopening.

Natoux’s colleague, Jacalin, also blamed the government for the attack, which led to the health minister being replaced.

Two journalists, including Jimmy Jean, were killed in Haiti, with five others wounded.

Jacalin condemned the government’s negligence, while Robest Dimanche mourned Natoux’s death. Despite calls for justice, Haiti remains notorious for unsolved journalist murders, with over 5,600 killed last year amid ongoing

gang violence. agencies