Weekly Report December 23 to December 30 2025

United States Donates 25 Armored Personnel Carriers to Strengthen Haitian National Police Operations

On Saturday, December 27, 2025, the United States government formally donated a batch of 25 armored personnel carriers to the Haitian National Police (HNP). The handover ceremony took place in the commune of Tabarre, in the presence of the Acting Director General of the HNP, Jonas André Vladimir Paraison, along with members of the police institution’s high command.

The armored vehicles were provided through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and delivered in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, as part of ongoing bilateral security cooperation between Washington and Port-au-Prince.

According to an official statement issued by the HNP, the donated equipment is intended to reinforce the operational, logistical, and force-protection capabilities of specialized police units deployed in areas assessed as high risk. Police authorities emphasized that the addition of armored mobility assets will enhance troop survivability, operational reach, and sustained presence during complex security operations.

Senior HNP officials publicly welcomed the continued support of the United States, characterizing it as consistent and strategic amid Haiti’s prolonged security crisis. This delivery follows earlier U.S. assistance that has included armored vehicles, protective equipment, training support, medevac and casevac operations and logistical aid for units engaged in counter-gang and public-order operations.

U.S. and Haitian officials underscored that the overarching objective of this assistance is to strengthen the capacity of Haitian security forces to respond more effectively to armed banditry, protect critical infrastructure, and restore freedom of movement in affected communities.

The Syndicate of the Haitian National Police (SPNH-17) has taken note of the recent donation of armored vehicles by the United States to the Haitian National Police (PNH).

While welcoming the delivery of armored assets, the police union reiterated that current resources remain insufficient to address the scale and sophistication of gang-related violence. SPNH-17 emphasized the need for a broader reinforcement of police capabilities through the provision of additional strategic equipment, including helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, and appropriate weaponry.

The union stressed that, despite recent international assistance, the PNH still lacks the comprehensive operational tools required to conduct sustained and effective operations against heavily armed criminal groups. SPNH-17 renewed its call for a more robust and coordinated support package to ensure that police personnel can operate safely and effectively in the current security environment.

Artibonite Residents Block National Route 1 to Demand Decisive Action Against Armed Gangs

On Thursday, December 25, multiple sections of National Route No. 1 (RN1), the main artery linking Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien, were blocked between Saint-Marc and L’Estère. The roadblocks, erected by local self-defense groups, reflect mounting public anger over worsening insecurity in the Artibonite department and across the country.

Protesters accuse government authorities of exploiting the security crisis for political and economic purposes and are calling for immediate, concrete measures to dismantle armed gangs that exert control over parts of the region. They insist that restoring security is a prerequisite for normal life and economic activity to resume.

The demonstrations are backed by several grassroots and civil society organizations, including the Komite Inisyativ pou Lapè nan Ba Latibonit (KILBA), the Kowalisyon Revolisyonè pou Sove Latibonit (KORESA), the Konbit Ba Latibonit (KONBA), and the Union of Visionary Planters for the Development of Artibonite (SPVDA). These groups, largely composed of farmers and workers, argue that the state has failed to provide basic security and must act without delay to stabilize the area.

The blockades have caused severe traffic congestion along RN1, disrupting passenger travel and commercial activity. The impact has been particularly acute for families and small businesses, with economic losses compounded by the timing during the holiday season, traditionally a period of heightened movement and trade.

Demonstrators are also demanding an end to what they describe as the impunity enjoyed by criminal groups, alleging that some gangs benefit from protection by political actors. Organizers have warned that the roadblocks will remain in place until authorities demonstrate tangible progress and credible security measures are implemented.

This mobilization follows a series of violent attacks in the Artibonite region attributed to armed gangs, resulting in deaths, injuries, and significant property damage. Many residents report living in a constant state of fear, citing the absence of effective protection and the erosion of public authority.

Meanwhile, the long-promised international force mandated to suppress gang activity, approved by the United Nations, has yet to be fully deployed. Analysts note that these delays have emboldened criminal groups, while the Haitian National Police (HNP) continues to face serious capacity constraints in confronting heavily armed networks operating in the region.

MORN Organizes Peaceful Demonstration Calling for Conclusion of the CPT Mandate

On December 29, 2025, the Movement for Reconciliation and National Reconstruction (MORN) held a sit-in on Monday in Port-au-Prince to call for the conclusion of the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) and the initiation of a new political transition framework.

The demonstration took place primarily in Pétion-Ville, notably along Pan-American Street, where participants carried placards and voiced criticism of the CPT’s performance. Organizers stated that the mobilization reflected public dissatisfaction with what they view as limited progress in restoring security and institutional stability.

Addressing participants, Jonas Légerme, national coordinator of a coalition bringing together more than one hundred political parties, civil society organizations, and political figures, emphasized that the political agreement signed on April 3 is set to expire on February 7, 2026. He argued that the remaining timeframe is insufficient for the organization of credible, inclusive general elections.

Mr. Légerme further expressed concern over what he characterized as efforts by authorities to extend the transition period under the justification of electoral preparations, asserting that such approaches lack broad national consensus.

A visible police presence was maintained throughout the gathering. According to organizers, security measures may have had a deterrent effect on participation. Mr. Légerme stated that the right to peaceful assembly should be upheld in accordance with constitutional guarantees.

MORN’s position is shared by several political parties and civil society organizations. In parallel, some international partners have publicly referenced February 7, 2026, as a key political milestone. Among them, André François Giroud, Canada’s ambassador to Haiti, has noted that the date marks the end of the CPT’s mandate under the current transitional arrangements.

Sanitation Breakdown at OPC Displacement Site Raises Serious Public Health Concerns

Living conditions at the displacement site located within the compound of the Office of the Protection of the Citizen (OPC) have deteriorated sharply, creating an acute sanitation and public health concern. For several weeks, hundreds of internally displaced families have reportedly been without access to functional latrines following the withdrawal of external support previously responsible for maintaining sanitary facilities. As a result, residents, including women, children, and the elderly, are exposed to increasingly unsanitary and hazardous conditions.

According to testimonies from those living at the site, the absence of basic hygiene infrastructure has forced families to resort to improvised and unsafe practices, leading to the accumulation of human waste throughout the camp. This situation has significantly increased the risk of disease outbreaks and has compounded the psychological and social strain already experienced by displaced populations, many of whom fled violent attacks and the destruction of their homes in neighborhoods such as Delmas 30.

Camp residents are calling on national authorities, including the Prime Minister, members of the Presidential Transitional Council, and municipal officials, to take immediate corrective action. Their demands include the rapid restoration of sanitation facilities, assistance with housing reconstruction, and improved security conditions to enable safe returns to their communities. Some residents have also expressed concern over the limited public response from human rights organizations, including the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH), underscoring that the protection of dignity and basic living standards for displaced persons remains an urgent national priority.

Cash as Control: A Longstanding Gang Practice Amplified by Social Media

Haiti’s armed groups operating under the Viv Ansanm umbrella have increasingly drawn attention for publicly distributing cash to residents in areas under their control. While the visibility of these handouts has grown in recent years, the practice itself is not new. For decades, armed actors in Haiti have periodically used direct cash distribution as a tool to manage populations, reinforce authority, and mitigate resistance in environments marked by poverty and weak state presence.

Several prominent gang leaders, including LamnoSanJou, Izo, and Jimmy Chérizier, have employed this tactic at various points. What has changed is not the method, but its scale, frequency, and presentation. Cash handouts are now more deliberately staged and increasingly advertised through social media platforms, where videos and images are disseminated to project influence well beyond the immediate neighborhood.

The purpose of these distributions remains perception management rather than meaningful economic support. Although the sums involved are modest relative to overall gang revenues, they carry outsized symbolic value in communities facing chronic unemployment, food insecurity, and the prolonged absence of effective public services. By providing immediate and visible assistance, gang leaders seek to position themselves as responsive actors filling a vacuum left by the state.

In parallel with these public gestures, gang leaders have increasingly surrounded such events with visible security cordons. Armed escorts, perimeter control, and controlled access to distribution sites create a security blanket that serves multiple objectives. Operationally, it protects senior figures from assassination or arrest. Symbolically, it reinforces the image of authority and impunity, demonstrating an ability to operate openly while controlling space and movement.

The growing emphasis on security surrounding these handouts could be linked to anticipation of intensified international pressure, including the deployment of the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force. By embedding themselves within civilian populations during highly publicized events, gang leaders may be seeking to raise the political and operational costs of direct action against them. This approach potentially complicates targeting, elevates the risk of civilian harm, and creates a narrative buffer that can be leveraged domestically and internationally. Comparable tactics have been observed in multiple conflict and criminal environments worldwide, where armed groups use civilian proximity, public assistance, and visibility to constrain enforcement options, shape perceptions, and deter intervention by state or international forces.

Social media amplification further magnifies this effect. Videos showing leaders distributing cash while surrounded by armed guards and supportive residents are used to signal deterrence to rivals, resilience in the face of external pressure, and continued relevance to local communities. These images project preparedness and adaptability at a time when gangs anticipate heightened scrutiny and enforcement.

At the community level, cash handouts combined with visible security create a layered control mechanism. Residents who benefit, even marginally, may be less inclined to cooperate with the Haitian National Police or international forces, while the presence of armed guards reinforces fear and discourages dissent. The exchange remains implicit: short-term relief and perceived protection in return for silence, neutrality, or passive compliance.

Despite their visibility and careful staging, these practices do not produce durable improvements in welfare or security. The amounts distributed remain negligible when weighed against the broader economic harm caused by gang activity, including extortion-driven price inflation, disrupted supply chains, school closures, and displacement. In effect, gangs redistribute a small fraction of extracted resources while preserving the systems that sustain insecurity.

From a security and governance perspective, the combination of cash distribution and security blanketing is best assessed as tactical rather than strategic. Risk and security analyses, including field reporting and threat assessments produced by Halo Solutions Firm S.A., consistently indicate that while such measures can temporarily shield leadership and dampen resistance, they do not confer lasting legitimacy. These assessments highlight that cash handouts and protective cordons are effective only insofar as gangs retain uninterrupted revenue streams and territorial control.

Ultimately, the integration of cash distribution, armed protection, and social media exposure reflects a defensive adaptation within a criminal economy. It is not a substitute for governance. Durable stability will depend on dismantling the financial and territorial foundations that enable these tactics, while restoring lawful authority and predictable public services capable of meeting basic needs without coercion.

Haitian Coast Guard Repels Attack on Commercial Convoy Bound for La Gonâve

Several armed assailants were killed during a maritime confrontation with the Haitian Coast Guard after an attack on a protected commercial convoy, according to an official statement from the Police nationale d’Haïti.

On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, a Haitian Coast Guard patrol vessel escorting a convoy of thirteen merchant sailboats en route to La Gonâve came under armed attack in the Bay of Port-au-Prince, near the Gressier area. The police reported that the official vessel was targeted by five boats operated by armed criminals, triggering a high-intensity engagement at sea.

In response, two reinforcement units, including a REMBO patrol craft, were immediately deployed. The ensuing operation involved several hours of sustained exchanges of gunfire with the attackers.

According to the PNH, the intervention produced significant operational results. One criminal vessel was destroyed, another was seized, and several attackers were neutralized. Authorities emphasized that no Coast Guard personnel were injured during the operation.

However, the incident resulted in a civilian fatality. A civilian crew member aboard one of the escorted sailboats lost their life. The police did not provide further details regarding the precise circumstances of the death.

Following the engagement, the PNH stated that the maritime area was fully secure. The escort mission was maintained, commercial navigation was restored, and all thirteen merchant vessels were able to continue safely toward La Gonâve under official protection.

The police underscored that this incident, occurring amid a broader surge in criminal activity, reflects the Coast Guard’s firm commitment to safeguarding Haiti’s maritime domain and combating illicit activities at sea, with the objective of ensuring the security of both people and property.

Gang Assault in Piâtre Highlights Growing Security Vacuum in Montrouis

Piâtre, a locality in Délugé within the second communal section of Montrouis, was attacked early Tuesday, December 23, 2025, by armed gangs reportedly originating from the Canaan area. Local authorities reported sustained automatic gunfire beginning around 6:00 a.m., as attackers sought to seize strategic positions to dominate the surrounding plain and coastline. Community brigadiers reportedly engaged the assailants in an effort to repel the advance.

According to municipal officials, numerous homes were set ablaze during the assault, following a pattern seen in previous gang attacks. Casualties were reported on both sides, though no confirmed figures were available. Several civilians sustained gunshot wounds. Residents issued emergency alerts on social media and appealed for police intervention, but assistance was delayed for hours, reinforcing concerns about the prolonged absence of security forces in the commune.

Local leaders and the Association of Notables of Montrouis warned that the area risks becoming a lost territory if the situation persists. They noted that specialized police units have been awaiting equipment from Port-au-Prince for months. As of Tuesday evening, armed clashes were still ongoing in Piâtre, with local authorities continuing to appeal to the senior leadership of the Police nationale d’Haïti for urgent intervention to restore public order.

BC Airways Expands Les Cayes–Miami Service with Increased Weekly Flights

IBC Airways plans to increase the frequency of its nonstop service between Les Cayes and Miami beginning in January 2026. The carrier will operate four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, according to Dimitri Fouchard, the airline’s representative in Haiti, who cited strong demand on the route.

The expansion coincides with ongoing infrastructure improvements at Antoine Simon International Airport. The Autorité Aéroportuaire Nationale has scheduled the inauguration of the new departure and arrival hall for January 2026. In the interim, IBC Airways has begun using the upgraded facilities to enhance passenger comfort while final adjustments are completed.

IBC Airways has operated nonstop flights to Miami since December 3, 2025, following authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration. The increased capacity has already had a pricing impact, with round-trip fares reduced from approximately $1,500 to $1,300, reflecting improved availability and route performance.

Prime Minister Meets Police Leadership to Align Security Strategy and 2026 Electoral Preparations

On December 29, 2025, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé held a high-level meeting with a delegation from the Police nationale d’Haïti, led by Acting Director General André Jonas Vladimir Paraison. The delegation included representatives from specialized units, notably the HNP Intervention Group, commonly referred to as the SWAT team. Discussions centered on national security challenges and the conditions required to organize credible general elections in 2026, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister used the meeting to engage directly with frontline police leadership, identifying operational priorities and immediate measures to improve working conditions and enhance the PNH’s effectiveness against armed criminal groups. He reaffirmed the government’s full support for the police and emphasized that restoring security is a prerequisite for inclusive, transparent, and credible elections. During the meeting, he commended the dedication of officers deployed during the end-of-year period, and a moment of silence was observed in honor of police personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Public Health and Population, Sinal Bertrand, with discussions covering risk allowances, expanded medical coverage in Haiti and Cuba, and the development of a housing support program for police officers. Prime Minister Fils-Aimé concluded by calling for national unity to dismantle the influence of armed groups, underscoring the strategic role of elite police units in restoring public security as a foundation for constitutional order, democracy, and the rule of law, while acknowledging public skepticism and the need for tangible results in the fight against insecurity.

IED Discovered at Tabarre Municipal Market as Police Foil Attempted Arson Attack

On December 26, 2025, the Police nationale d’Haïti announced that it had thwarted an attempted arson attack targeting the municipal market in Tabarre. The threat was discovered by market security guards, who identified a homemade explosive device consisting of a propane tank fitted with a crude detonator. Authorities stated that the device was capable of causing extensive damage and significant loss of life, particularly given the heavy foot traffic associated with the end-of-year festive period.

According to police sources, the device is believed to have been planted by members of Viv Ansanm. Investigators assess that similar improvised devices have been used in a recent series of fires affecting several popular markets and at least one camp for internally displaced persons in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Multiple police units were immediately deployed to the scene, accompanied by a justice of the peace, to secure the area and complete the required legal documentation.

In response, the PNH renewed its appeal for public vigilance, urging citizens to promptly report any suspicious activity. The police also reiterated prior warnings regarding heightened threats against camps for displaced persons, calling on residents to reinforce mutual vigilance and cooperate closely with authorities to prevent further acts intended to spread fear and destabilize the capital.

Renewed Gang Assault in Kenscoff Deepens Humanitarian and Security Crisis

Municipal authorities in Kenscoff have raised the alarm following a new series of coordinated attacks carried out by armed groups affiliated with Viv Ansanm, which occurred during the night of December 26–27, 2025. According to the City Council, heavily armed assailants struck multiple localities, including Obissa Bourette, Mahotière Bourette, and the area known as Nan Galèt, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread destruction.

The municipal authorities report that these attacks are part of a sustained campaign of violence that has persisted for nearly eleven months, during which armed groups have occupied and terrorized several sections of the commune. The assaults reportedly involved killings, gunshot injuries, and the looting or destruction of homes and property, further exacerbating fear, displacement, and hardship among an already vulnerable civilian population. City officials described these acts as grave violations of fundamental human rights and a direct challenge to state authority and public order.

In a strongly worded statement, the Kenscoff City Council condemned the violence and called for an immediate, robust, and sustained intervention by the Police nationale d’Haïti, supported by all relevant security forces, including operations within gang strongholds to ensure their neutralization and dismantling. The council emphasized that no municipality should be abandoned to armed groups and reaffirmed the constitutional right of Kenscoff’s residents to live safely, move freely, cultivate their land, and raise their families in dignity. Municipal leaders pledged to continue seeking justice for victims, accountability for perpetrators and accomplices, and appropriate reparations for displaced and bereaved families, while warning that prolonged inaction risks permanently entrenching criminal control over the commune.

Deferred Justice Reform: Haiti Delays Implementation of Revised Penal Codes

On December 24, 2025, the Haitian government announced the postponement of the entry into force of the revised Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure, following an extraordinary Council of Ministers held by videoconference. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the session was chaired by Laurent Saint-Cyr, President of the Transitional Presidential Council, in the presence of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The authorities opted for a phased implementation, citing the need to avoid legal uncertainty and protect the proper functioning of the rule of law.

The timing and format of the decision prompted questions among observers, particularly given the end-of-year period and expectations that broader institutional changes might be addressed. Attention focused on unresolved governance issues within key state bodies, including the Unité de Lutte Contre la Corruption, where leadership remains controversial. The absence of a revised implementation date has reinforced concerns about institutional hesitation and administrative readiness.

The postponement revives memories of June 24, 2025, when an earlier extraordinary Council of Ministers, chaired by Fritz Alphonse Jean, adopted amendments to the penal codes alongside a decree launching the constitutional referendum process. Six months later, the renewed delay underscores the political sensitivity and structural constraints surrounding judicial reform in Haiti, highlighting the persistent gap between reform ambitions and the state’s capacity to execute them decisively.

CEP Publishes Revised Electoral Calendar, Citing Security and Funding Conditions

The Conseil Électoral Provisoire has officially published Haiti’s revised electoral calendar in Le Moniteur, following the promulgation of the Electoral Decree in Special Issue No. 66 on December 1, 2025, by the Conseil Présidentiel de Transition. The calendar outlines the full electoral process, from candidate registration through the proclamation of final results.

According to the CEP, the first-round election campaign will run from May 19 to August 28, 2026, with legislative and presidential voting scheduled for August 30, 2026. Final results for the first round are expected on October 3, 2026. The second round and local elections are set for December 6, 2026, with final presidential results to be published on January 7, 2027, and local election results on January 20, 2027.

The CEP stressed that the timetable depends on two critical conditions. First, an acceptable security environment is required to allow electoral operations across all municipalities and communal sections. The Council noted that 23 communes, mainly in the West, Artibonite, Centre, and Northwest departments, remain under the control of armed groups, creating major logistical challenges. Second, sufficient financial resources must be available, as elections require rapid and simultaneous interventions nationwide, including the ability to address unforeseen events.

The CEP also clarified that the version of the Electoral Decree published in Le Moniteur differs from the draft it submitted. Two provisions were added without the Council’s approval: a ban on candidacies by individuals subject to United Nations sanctions, and new references establishing ten Departmental Vote Tabulation Offices. These changes, the CEP noted, may have legal and operational implications for the electoral process.

Haiti’s Electoral Process Under Review: Institutional Readiness and International Support

On December 30, 2025, the United Nations Special Representative in Haiti, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, met with the President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), Jacques Desrosiers, to evaluate the conditions for organizing Haiti’s upcoming elections. The discussions focused on financial, logistical, and security requirements, taking place against the backdrop of a prolonged political transition and persistent nationwide insecurity.

According to information released after the meeting, the head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and CEP leadership reviewed challenges related to voter access across the country, including limited territorial control, infrastructure constraints, and administrative capacity. The participation of the Haitian diaspora was also addressed, particularly the modalities for voting abroad, which continue to raise legal, technical, and operational considerations.

Carlos Ruiz Massieu welcomed recent progress by the CEP, notably the promulgation of the electoral decree and the publication of the electoral calendar, describing these steps as important institutional milestones. He stressed, however, that sustained international support remains essential to ensure the credibility of the process. CEP President Jacques Desrosiers reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to inclusive and transparent elections, while acknowledging that persistent security, logistical, and financial constraints will remain decisive factors in determining the feasibility and legitimacy of the forthcoming vote.

Explosive Drone Strike on CNE Depot Fuels Allegations of State Repression and Gang-Linked Power Struggles

In the early hours of December 18, 2025, three explosive drones destroyed the depot of the Centre National d’Équipement (CNE), located west of Toussaint Louverture International Airport and east of Cité Soleil in Port-au-Prince. The facility stored heavy state-owned machinery essential to public works, including bulldozers, graders, excavators, and cranes. The attack caused extensive damage to buildings and equipment and marked one of the most significant drone incidents targeting state infrastructure in the capital.

The CNE had been officially closed on September 2, 2024, by the de facto government led by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the Transitional Presidential Council. Authorities had indicated that the equipment would be transferred to the Forces armées d’Haïti, yet much of it reportedly remained on site. Notably, the depot sits in an area influenced by Viv Ansanm, a coalition bringing together several armed groups operating in marginalized neighborhoods of the capital, including Cité Soleil, La Saline, Lower Delmas, and parts of Croix-des-Bouquets. Despite this, the CNE site had never previously been looted, vandalized, or attacked by local gangs, a fact cited by observers questioning the motive behind its destruction.

According to reporting and union statements, the strike followed renewed public allegations of corruption by the CNE workers’ union, which has accused senior officials and politically connected figures of misappropriation and illicit use of state equipment. In a video statement released on December 22, Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a prominent figure associated with Viv Ansanm, argued that the attack appeared retaliatory, noting that armed groups controlling the surrounding territory had deliberately left the depot untouched for years.

The broader security context includes escalating confrontations between state forces and armed groups affiliated with Viv Ansanm, particularly Kraze Baryè, led by Vitel’homme Innocent, who operates primarily in Torcelle, Pernier, and Tabarre. U.S. authorities have offered a multimillion-dollar reward for his capture. On December 18, coordinated operations involving the Police nationale d’Haïti, the Forces armées d’Haïti, were reported in these same neighborhoods, with armored vehicle columns deployed.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that the destruction of the CNE depot may be linked to efforts to eliminate evidence related to alleged illicit activities, including claims surrounding an illegal drug-production site previously exposed in Croix-des-Bouquets. While these allegations remain unverified by independent investigations, the incident has intensified scrutiny of the expanding use of drones in urban security operations, the evolving relationship between state forces and rival gang coalitions, and the growing concern over civilian harm and institutional accountability during Haiti’s prolonged political transition.

Money Transfers Under Pressure: Gangs Expand Control Over Currency Exchange Offices in Haiti

In several areas under the control of armed groups, particularly in Carrefour, Martissant, and Arcahaie, receiving money from abroad has become increasingly difficult. In these locations, gangs impose informal payments on recipients of transfers, creating additional obstacles for families who rely on remittances as a primary source of support.

In Port-au-Prince on December 30, 2025, residents who remain in these neighborhoods, often due to limited financial options, report a daily environment shaped by insecurity. In the absence of effective state presence, communities face persistent pressure from armed groups, and residents frequently comply with their demands to avoid reprisals.

These practices contribute to the financial consolidation of gangs while further straining households already in vulnerable situations. Funds sent by the diaspora, intended to support basic needs, are increasingly subject to diversion. To date, authorities have not announced specific measures to secure money-transfer services in areas under armed control, leaving remittance flows exposed to continued interference.

Joint PNH–Customs Operation Intercepts Firearms and Ammunition at Cap-Haïtien Port

On Monday, December 29, 2025, a coordinated operation conducted by the Anti-Narcotics Brigade (BLTS) of the Haitian National Police and customs authorities led to the interception of a shipment of illicit weapons and ammunition at the CTSA 2 terminal within the Port of Cap-Haïtien.

The prohibited items were discovered concealed in boxes inside a shipping container operated by the CMA CGM shipping line, which had originated from the United States. Jean Marie Clément Thelusma, age 43, identified as the owner of the shipment and suspected of involvement in arms and ammunition trafficking, was apprehended at the terminal during the operation.

Authorities seized three firearms, including two 9mm pistols manufactured by Ruger and Taurus, and one 7.62-caliber AK-47 assault rifle. The seizure also included eight magazines, four for 9mm pistols and four for 7.62mm weapons, along with approximately 1,800 rounds of 9mm ammunition packaged in 36 boxes of 50 rounds each.

Haiti’s Shadow Economy: How Gangs Turn Roads, Borders, and Kidnapping into Millions

Haiti’s armed groups, operating primarily under the Viv Ansanm umbrella, have evolved from loosely organized criminal factions into managers of a parallel economy. Through systematic extortion, control of transport corridors, cargo racketeering tied to cross-border trade, and the continued use of kidnapping for ransom, gangs now generate tens of millions of dollars annually. This financial autonomy has allowed them to sustain operations, recruit at scale, and absorb tactical losses without collapsing.

Across Port-au-Prince and along key national highways, gangs have installed checkpoints that function as permanent toll stations. Trucks, buses, private vehicles, motorcyclists, and pedestrians are routinely charged for passage. In some areas, transport operators report fixed monthly payments per vehicle, supplemented by per-trip fees linked to specific routes or ports. Non-payment is enforced through violence, including vehicle destruction, assaults, and targeted killings.

This system effectively taxes the entire domestic supply chain. Transporters pass the added costs to wholesalers and consumers, driving up prices for food, fuel, construction materials, and medicine. Communities attempting to bypass gang-controlled routes often face reprisals, reinforcing compliance and ensuring predictable cash flow. The result is a steady income source that mirrors state taxation, but without any public service return.

A second pillar of gang financing is cargo extortion tied to overland trade with the Dominican Republic. Armed groups levy fees on containers entering Haiti, with charges reported in the thousands of dollars per container. Given the volume of monthly imports, even partial enforcement yields substantial revenue.

This model is strategically efficient. Containers concentrate high value in a single target, and trade flows are regular and difficult to reroute. Haitian authorities have periodically attempted to disrupt this income by restricting overland imports, but gangs have adapted by shifting collection points, increasing fees, or leveraging intermediaries. The proceeds are used to acquire weapons, ammunition, vehicles, communications equipment, and to pay fighters and informants.

Before tolls and cargo racketeering became fully institutionalized, kidnapping for ransom was the dominant revenue source for many gangs. Business owners, professionals, aid workers, clergy, and ordinary commuters were abducted, with ransoms negotiated under extreme pressure. Although public backlash, targeted operations by the Haitian National Police, and tactical shifts have reduced kidnapping’s relative share of gang income in some areas, it remains an embedded practice.

Kidnapping continues to serve two purposes. Financially, it provides episodic windfalls that can fund weapons purchases or major operations. Strategically, it acts as a coercive tool against communities and institutions perceived as resistant to gang control. In this sense, kidnapping has not disappeared; it has been integrated into a broader portfolio of criminal revenues.

The formation of Viv Ansanm in 2023 marked a turning point. By aligning previously rival factions, gangs reduced internal conflict and standardized extortion practices. This consolidation enabled coordinated territorial expansion into areas such as Kenscoff, Mirebalais, Saut-d’Eau, La Chapelle, and large portions of the Artibonite corridor. With fewer internal disputes, resources could be redirected toward external control and revenue maximization.

The coalition’s financial independence has also weakened traditional political leverage over gangs. Rather than serving as tools of elites, armed groups now negotiate from a position of strength, using their economic power to influence local governance, intimidate officials, and shape security dynamics.

The impact on civilians is severe. Widespread extortion inflates living costs, disrupts education and healthcare access, and accelerates displacement. Entire neighborhoods and rural communities have been emptied as residents flee violence or economic suffocation. Children and adolescents are increasingly recruited as lookouts, couriers, and combatants, reflecting both coercion and the absence of viable alternatives.

From an operational perspective, private security and risk advisory firms working in Haiti, including Halo Solutions Firm S.A., have documented how gang control of mobility and logistics corridors directly affects humanitarian access, commercial transport, and emergency response planning. These assessments consistently highlight that insecurity is not only a law enforcement problem, but a systems problem rooted in revenue control.

Military or police actions that do not address financing tend to produce only temporary results. As long as gangs control roads, ports, and trade corridors, they can regenerate leadership and manpower after losses. Disrupting toll systems, cargo extortion, and kidnapping networks is therefore central to any durable security strategy.

Haiti’s experience has shown that removing individual leaders may bring short-term calm, but violence returns if armed groups retain their economic base. Restoring state authority over movement, borders, and commerce, while holding facilitators and financiers accountable, remains the critical challenge in dismantling Haiti’s entrenched gang economy.

PNH Officer Killed in Fort-Jacques: Inspector Hold Jean Estherlin Fatally Shot

Inspector Hold Jean Estherlin, the division inspector in charge of the Fort-Jacques sub-precinct in Pétion-Ville, was fatally shot on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, during what was described by police sources as a routine patrol in his jurisdiction. According to local reports, the incident occurred around 22:00 as Estherlin participated in a standard patrol when unidentified armed individuals opened fire, striking him. The assailants fled the scene without any arrests or immediate identification, leaving the circumstances of the assault unclear and sparking concern within the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the broader community about officer safety and the security environment in the area. Authorities have not yet released an official statement detailing the investigation, contributing to a climate of uncertainty about the incident.

Estherlin was known within the PNH for his assertive approach to combating armed criminal factions, particularly in zones of persistent insecurity such as Fort-Jacques. His leadership and presence in operations earned him both respect among peers and visibility within the local population at a time when gang violence and attacks on security forces have been frequent. The lack of an official police communiqué and the dissemination of graphic footage on social media have intensified public concern about the risks faced by law enforcement officers and the ability of institutions to provide transparency and accountability in high-profile cases. As investigators continue to gather evidence, the death of Inspector Estherlin underscores the profound challenges confronting Haiti’s security apparatus amid ongoing tensions with armed groups.