Chilean peacekeeper killed in Haiti protest

A Chilean soldier who was part of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti was shot dead Monday during a violent protest in the Caribbean nation, the mission said.

Sergeant Rodrigo Sanhueza was providing security for a military vehicle traveling near the border with the Dominican Republic when the unit encountered a protest and came under fire, the defense ministry said.

Sandra Honore, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti, condemned the killing.

“She has asked the Haitian authorities to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted, offering UNPOL support in this regard and calling for the perpetrator to be brought to justice without delay,” a U.N. statement said.

“Armed violence is a criminal act which not only endangers people’s security but also the gains in peace and stability which the Haitian population has achieved so far….As Haiti enters the electoral period 2015, a climate of peace is in the interest of all,” Honore said, according to the statement.

In New York, the U.N. Security Council sent condolences to the peacekeeper’s family.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy to the family of the fallen peacekeeper, to the Government and people of Chile, and to MINUSTAH,” a council statement said.

“The members of the Security Council looked forward to the completion of a full and comprehensive investigation to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident,” it added.

Chile has been part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) since 2004.

The mission replaced a U.S.-French force tasked with restoring security and humanitarian aid after the ouster of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide.