Weekly Report Feb 24 to March 03

Haitian Police Clash with Criminals in Gressier as Locals Demand Army Intervention

On Monday, February 24, the Haitian National Police reported that during clashes between police and criminals attempting to move from Gressier toward Léogâne, five suspects were fatally wounded and five weapons were seized. The specialized UTAG and SWAT units carried out the operations in the Lassalle area of Gressier. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the PNH confirmed that security measures remain in place, noting an increased police presence at the Léogâne police station and a continued crackdown on gang activities, while urging the community to cooperate.

In response to the ongoing violence, residents staged a sit-in on Tuesday, February 25, demanding that the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD'H) take a more proactive role. Despite having a base between Léogâne and Gressier, soldiers have not been seen on the streets. “The FAD'H must no longer be content with protecting their base. The situation is deteriorating. The soldiers must protect the communes of Gressier and Léogâne,” declared Reeky Louis, one of the protest organizers, warning that further actions might follow if their plea is ignored. A source from the FAD'H explained that no orders have been issued for street deployment and that the force is facing equipment shortages, compounded by a lack of supplies from Port-au-Prince.

Massacre in Tabarre 27: Community in Mourning

On the night of Monday, February 24 to Tuesday, February 25, 2025, armed bandits launched a brutal attack in the Tabarre 27 district of the Commune of Tabarre, located less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy. Multiple sources report that the assault resulted in the deaths of 12 residents, including four members of a single family, as noted by survivors. The attack, attributed to the "viv ansanm" gang, has left the community in shock, especially after disturbing footage showing the lifeless bodies of the victims circulated widely on social media. In response, the interim Municipal Commission, led by Mayor Arsonval Alexandre and his assessors Wilner Etienne and Gémima Lovelace, issued a statement strongly condemning these heinous acts of violence and the systematic abuse inflicted upon peaceful citizens.

Dominican Republic Declares Haitian Gangs as Terrorist Organizations

On February 26, 2025, Dominican President Luis Abinader officially designated the criminal groups operating in Haiti as "terrorist organizations" through a signed decree. This move comes amid escalating violence in Haiti, where armed gangs have caused thousands of casualties and widespread displacement. Under the new measure, anyone affiliated with these groups and apprehended in Dominican territory will be prosecuted under existing anti-terrorism laws. President Abinader emphasized that this decision is necessary to safeguard national security and prevent Haiti's instability from spilling over into the Dominican Republic, attributing the action to the international community’s failure to effectively address the crisis.

Dominican Authorities Seize Smuggled Weapons Likely Destined for Haitian Gangs

Authorities from the Dominican Republic's Directorate General of Customs (DGA) intercepted an illegal shipment of firearms at the port of Haina, uncovering 37 weapons concealed inside two compressor tanks within a container shipped from Brooklyn, United States. The seized cache includes 30 rifles of various calibers, six Glock Gen 5 pistols (9 mm), and a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE pistol (9 mm), along with 37 rifle magazines. Using advanced X-ray scanners, agents were able to detect the hidden arsenal, highlighting the effectiveness of these technological tools in the fight against illegal arms trafficking. Officials highly suspect that these weapons were intended for Haitian gangs, further fueling the ongoing crisis in Haiti. Dominican and U.S. authorities continue their collaborative efforts to combat arms smuggling, with over a hundred cases already submitted for judicial proceedings in both countries.

Armed Attack on Displaced Persons Camp Near Police Academy Leaves Casualties

On Thursday, February 27, armed members of the "Kraze Baryé" gang, led by Vitel’Homme Innocent, opened fire on a displaced persons camp at Frères Academic College. The camp, which shelters civilians forced from their homes by gang violence, is located near the Police Academy. At least two people have been killed, and several others have sustained injuries in the attack.

Displaced Citizens Demand Urgent Security Measures in Port-au-Prince

On February 28, 2025, hundreds of internally displaced persons in Port-au-Prince marched to public institutions such as the OAVCT on Charles Sumner Avenue to demand the restoration of security in neighborhoods now controlled by armed gangs. Forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in makeshift camps or with relatives, the protesters, including women and children, condemned the state’s inaction against escalating gang violence. Their testimonies of loss and despair, as they pleaded for immediate, concrete measures to reclaim safety and rebuild their lives, underline a crisis that leaves their fate increasingly uncertain.

A new CPT/Prime Minister Led Task Force and its Operation in Delmas

On March 1, 2025, the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office, launched a new Task Force and a targeted operation in Delmas, an area long associated with the notorious gang leader Jimmy Cherizier (also known as “Barbecue”). According to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, the operation neutralized several bandits within 48 hours of the Task Force’s formation, a move described as pivotal for restoring security, facilitating the return of displaced residents, and setting the stage for upcoming electoral processes.

Reports indicate that Jimmy Cherizier narrowly escaped death during the operation, while several of his lieutenants were killed. In a subsequently released video, an uninjured Cherizier vowed a retaliatory response proportional to the attack, claiming his ability to acquire the same weapons used by the Task Force, including attack drones. Additional footage posted by gang members appeared to show explosive drones that they recovered.The Task Force, composed of units from the Prime Minister's Security Unit (USPM) and the National Palace General Security Unit (USGPN), was specifically formed to target criminal elements linked to the terror group Viv Ansanm. While government officials confirmed that further operations would be undertaken, analysts warned that short-term tactical successes might not address the underlying issues of violence and institutional fragmentation, while many applauded the operation.

A message on X (formerly Twitter) from Prime Minister @citoyendidier confirmed that the Task Force had been actively operating in lower Delmas and reported that several bandits had been intercepted as needed to combat the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, adding, “We will not lose faith.” During the offensive, witnesses observed drones crashing into structures in Delmas 4 and 6, and recordings suggested that gang members were evacuating their injured by boat. Unconfirmed reports also noted that some wounded gang members were taken to MSF Douillard and treated by Hands Together in Cité Soleil, with three reported fatalities among the gang members; however, precise casualty figures remained unavailable.

SOHACEP Condemns PM Fils-Aimé's Amid Haiti's Mounting Insecurity Crisis

The Société Haïtienne de Criminologie et D'Etudes Penales (SOHACEP) has sharply condemned Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé for the escalating insecurity in Haiti. It attributes the crisis to his substandard leadership and inability to resolve internal disputes among key security agencies. Notably, his conflict with Haitian National Police Director General Rameau Normil has undermined the command structure and compromised the nation’s security framework. According to SOHACEP President Luckner Edouard, despite the recent acquisition of new equipment by the police, the first 100 days of his tenure have seen over 5 million citizens suffer from food insecurity, vast regions fall under hostile control, and more than 800,000 people become displaced. Errors such as the unwarranted issuance of wanted notices against law-abiding citizens have emboldened criminal elements. In addition, the inaction of other government officials and the controversial handling of the constitutional referendum, marked by the exclusion of key departments and insufficient public outreach, have further eroded public trust. Overall, Haiti’s mounting instability is a direct result of a Prime Minister who has repeatedly failed to lead and safeguard the country’s essential institutions.

Haiti Protest: Mass Mobilization Against Insecurity and Corruption

On Saturday, March 1, 2025, the political party Les Engagés pour le Développement (EDE) welcomed the strong mobilization of the Haitian people in response to its call against growing insecurity, poor governance, and corruption within the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT). Despite police intimidation and the use of tear gas to disperse demonstrators, thousands of citizens, party members, and supporters gathered in Port-au-Prince to denounce the crimes of armed gangs and the inefficiency of a government led by the CPT and Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The protest, hailed as a major first victory against the current regime, also criticized the failed political transition and exposed CPT members implicated in corruption scandals. Demanding the resignation of these officials, EDE stressed that leaders should serve the people rather than a ruling minority and reaffirmed its commitment by vowing to continue peaceful protests against the prevailing violence, indifference, and irresponsibility in power, insisting that the fight for a better Haiti is only just beginning.

CGSH Denounces Government's Inaction Amid Rising Violence

In a statement released on March 02, the Cercle Grégory Saint-Hilaire (CGSH) organization sharply criticized Haitian authorities for their failure to address escalating insecurity that is forcing thousands of families to flee, as armed gangs intensify attacks in the capital and plunge residents into fear and uncertainty; while saluting the courage of the Haitian people during one of the darkest periods in their history, the organization condemned the government, particularly the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aimé, for neglecting their duty to protect citizens in favor of managing public finances and preparing for potential elections, leaving criminal networks to operate with impunity, and questioned how such groups are so well-equipped given Haiti’s limited arms production, all while urging urgent investigations into arms trafficking, highlighted by a UN report identifying the United States as the main arms supplier, to dismantle the networks fueling the crisis and restore order before the nation falls further into chaos.

U.N. Proposes Support Mission for Haiti Security

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ruled out converting the multinational security support mission into a full peacekeeping force for now, instead recommending a U.N. support mission funded through the peacekeeping budget. In a letter to the Security Council, he noted that once significant progress is made in reducing gang territorial control, a peacekeeping option might be revisited. Meanwhile, the MSS, currently deployed with 1,000 personnel from several nations and facing funding and resource challenges, is tasked with strengthening Haiti’s under-equipped national police and protecting critical infrastructure amid ongoing gang violence, with a trust fund of $110.8 million in voluntary contributions supporting its efforts.

Haiti Education Impact: Effects of Armed Violence on Schools

Armed gang violence has significantly affected the education system, with 47 schools destroyed in Port-au-Prince in January, adding to the 284 attacked in 2024, resulting in many children losing access to education; during a press briefing at the Palais des Nations, UNICEF Representative Geetanjali Narayan explained that the ongoing violence is directly targeting educational institutions, noting that students have been forced to seek cover during incidents of gunfire, while UNICEF estimates indicate that one in seven children is currently out of school and nearly one million are at risk of dropping out due to attacks, displacement, and economic challenges, a situation that has also coincided with a 70% increase in the recruitment of children by armed groups, including minors as young as eight; in response, UNICEF is implementing initiatives to rehabilitate damaged schools, establish temporary learning spaces, reintegrate displaced children, provide catch-up courses and psychosocial support, and distribute school kits and financial aid, although only 5% of the $38 million needed to support 600,000 children has been raised.