Weekly Report February 03 to February 10, 2026

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé Assumes Full Executive Authority Following CPT Dissolution

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has formally become the sole head of Haiti’s executive branch following the conclusion of the mandate of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT). The end-of-term ceremony was held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Villa d’Accueil, with five of the nine presidential advisors in attendance: Laurent St-Cyr, Emmanuel Vertilaire, Smith Augustin, Frinel Joseph, and Régine Abraham. Several other council members were notably absent, amid parallel political consultations aimed at identifying a post-CPT governance framework.

The ceremony brought together members of the Council of Ministers, senior leadership of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), the Haitian National Police (PNH), and the Gang Repression Force, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, including ambassadors from Canada, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, and France. The United States was represented by Chargé d’Affaires Henry T. Wooster, alongside members of the European Union delegation. With the ceremony’s conclusion, the CPT officially ceased to exercise executive power.

In brief remarks, former CPT coordinator Laurent St-Cyr confirmed that executive authority now rests with the Council of Ministers under the leadership of the Prime Minister, in accordance

With the April 3 Agreement and the May 27, 2024 decree. Prime Minister Fils-Aimé declined a formal speech, announcing instead that his first cabinet meeting would follow immediately and that he would address the nation later that evening. The transition marks the start of a new interim phase centered on security, political dialogue, elections, and institutional stability.

Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force: Deployment, Donor Funding, and Near-Term Outlook

As of February 2026, the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) operating in Haiti remains well below its authorized strength, despite multiple international pledges, donor commitments, and the establishment of new United Nations support mechanisms intended to enable sustained security operations.

Open-source reporting confirms that approximately 980 foreign security personnel are currently deployed in Haiti under the GSF framework. Kenya remains the principal troop contributor, supported by smaller contingents from Jamaica, The Bahamas, Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Publicly available sources do not provide precise troop numbers for these smaller contingents.

The GSF is authorized for a force ceiling of approximately 5,500 personnel. While international partners have publicly pledged thousands of additional personnel, these commitments have not translated into verified large-scale deployments, underscoring a continued gap between political intent and operational presence.

Open-source financial reporting indicates that donor support for Haiti’s security response has been unevenly structured between direct funding and indirect support.

The United States is the largest overall supporter, having provided more than USD 1 billion in assistance tied to logistics, sustainment, equipment, and indirect operational support for Haiti’s security response. However, direct U.S. contributions to the dedicated UN trust fund supporting the mission are publicly reported at approximately USD 15 million.

Canada is currently the largest confirmed direct contributor to the UN trust fund, with approximately USD 63 million committed. In aggregate, open-source reporting places total trust fund capitalization at roughly USD 113 million, a figure substantially below the estimated USD 800 million per year required to sustain the mission at authorized force levels.

Other donor countries and entities have pledged funding, equipment, or technical support, but detailed breakdowns and disbursement timelines remain limited in public reporting.

The United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) was established to provide the logistical backbone for the GSF, including base sustainment, fuel and water supply, medical support, and mobility.

Analysis by Halo Solutions Firm S.A. assesses that UNSOH represents a necessary structural correction to earlier security assistance models that lacked centralized sustainment capacity. However, the absence of publicly verifiable data on logistics throughput, airlift, and sustainment cycles suggests that UNSOH’s operational impact has yet to be fully demonstrated.

According to Halo Solutions Firm S.A. analysis, the next three months represent a decisive window for the mission.

Over the next 30 days, no significant increase in deployed force strength is expected absent pre-positioned deployments. Operations are likely to remain episodic and geographically limited while UNSOH continues internal stand-up activities.

Within 60 days, modest additional troop arrivals may occur, and UNSOH may begin limited field-level support. However, force levels are likely to remain below the threshold required for sustained nationwide pressure on armed groups.

By 90 days, the mission reaches a critical inflection point. Without accelerated troop deployments and increased trust fund capitalization, the GSF risks plateauing at a sub-strategic level of impact, prompting reassessment by donors and contributing states.

Open-source information indicates that the GSF remains politically authorized but operationally constrained. Halo Solutions Firm S.A. concludes that converting pledges into deployed forces and aligning donor funding with operational requirements will determine whether the mission achieves durable security effects or remains limited in scope.

PNH Reopens Carrefour Airport Sub-Station, Marking Restoration of Police Presence in Delmas

The Haitian National Police (PNH) has officially regained control of the Carrefour de l’Aéroport police sub-station in the Delmas commune, nearly two years after the facility was vandalized and set ablaze during coordinated attacks in March 2024 attributed to the armed coalition known as Viv Ansanm.

The reopening ceremony was held on Saturday in the presence of senior police leadership, including the Departmental Director for the West, Divisional Commissioner Jacques Ader, the Chief of Police for Delmas, Chief Commissioner Nacius Junior Lacombe, and other officials from the jurisdiction.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner Ader reaffirmed the PNH’s resolve to reestablish a sustained security presence in neighborhoods impacted by armed violence. He emphasized that law enforcement operations against criminal groups in the area would continue without interruption, underscoring the institution’s commitment to restoring public order and state authority.

Police officials also indicated that the reactivation of the sub-station is intended to support the gradual resumption of daily activities for informal sector vendors, students, and local economic operators by improving overall security conditions in the area.

The Carrefour de l’Aéroport sub-station had been destroyed on the evening of March 4, 2024, during a wave of coordinated attacks targeting public institutions. Its reopening is being presented by the PNH as a tangible step in the broader, phased effort to stabilize this strategically important sector of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and reinforce government presence on the ground.

Helicopter Search by Hero Client Rescue Leads to Location of Agape Aircraft Crash

Agape Flights has confirmed that recovery teams have retrieved the bodies of two pilots killed when one of its aircraft crashed in the mountains of southern Haiti last week. The Venice, Florida–based humanitarian aviation nonprofit said it is withholding the identities of the pilots out of respect for their families and is focused on returning the remains home as soon as possible.

The aircraft, an Embraer 110 Bandeirante twin-turboprop operating a regional cargo flight, lost contact on Thursday, February 5, 2026, while flying between Jérémie and Les Cayes in poor weather. Haiti’s Joint Rescue and Coordination Center / Search and Rescue (JRCC/SAR), under the National Civil Aviation Office, activated emergency protocols immediately. Nightfall and rugged terrain initially prevented aerial deployment, delaying the search until first light.

On Friday morning, helicopter search operations resumed, led by Hero Client Rescue in close coordination with JRCC/SAR. Utilizing rotary-wing aircraft and crews experienced in austere mountain operations, Hero Client Rescue conducted systematic aerial searches over the Grand’Anse highlands. These helicopter operations resulted in the positive location of the crash site, where the aircraft was found fragmented across a remote rural area—confirming a high-impact crash.

Agape Flights stated that officials have not yet determined the cause of the accident. In a public message, the organization said, “Currently, we have retrieved the bodies and are in the process of returning them home as soon as possible. This is where all our efforts are going towards right now for our organization.” Authorities continue the investigation, while underscoring that the crash site was located through helicopter search efforts conducted by Hero Client Rescue, whose aviation, medical, and recovery teams specialize in complex operations across Haiti’s most challenging terrain.

173 Haitian Migrants Repatriated to Cap-Haïtien in Coordinated U.S. and Bahamian Returns

A total of 173 Haitian migrants were repatriated to Cap-Haïtien on Thursday following coordinated return operations carried out by United States and Bahamian authorities, according to information confirmed by Haitian migration officials.

The largest group, consisting of 132 Haitian nationals, arrived from the United States. Upon arrival, they received limited immediate assistance from Haitian authorities, as acknowledged by Kerlande Desauguste, an official with the National Migration Office (ONM).

Several of the returnees described experiencing difficult conditions during their apprehension and detention, reporting alleged ill-treatment prior to their removal. ONM officials noted that the migrants arrived in a visibly distressed state, reflecting the psychological and physical toll associated with forced return.

Some individuals among the U.S.-repatriated group stated that they had initially entered the United States through legal pathways, including the Humanitarian Parole program introduced under the Biden administration, which has been used by thousands of Haitians seeking temporary lawful entry amid Haiti’s ongoing security and humanitarian crisis.

In addition to the U.S. operation, a second group of 41 Haitian migrants was repatriated the same day by Bahamian authorities, bringing the total number of returns to 173 within a single 24-hour period.

These repatriations occur against the backdrop of intensified regional migration enforcement and ongoing international debate over the treatment of Haitian migrants, particularly those fleeing gang violence, economic collapse, and political instability. Haitian authorities continue to face significant capacity constraints in providing reception, reintegration support, and humanitarian assistance to returnees, especially in northern arrival hubs such as Cap-Haïtien.

The ONM has reiterated calls for enhanced international coordination and increased support to address the humanitarian needs of repatriated migrants, while also urging host countries to ensure that repatriation procedures respect human rights and due process standards.

U.S. Authorizes Foreign Military Financing for Haiti as 341 Soldiers Are Appointed

As Haiti’s Ministry of Defense announced the appointment of 341 new soldiers on the eve of February 7, attention has increasingly focused on a parallel and far more consequential development: the authorization of direct U.S. military assistance to the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) for the first time in decades.

Under the U.S. Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (H.R. 7148), signed into law on February 3, 2026, Haiti is now eligible for up to USD 5 million in non-lethal military assistance through Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) programs. This marks the first instance of direct U.S. military funding to Haiti since 1994 and represents a significant shift in Washington’s security engagement with Port-au-Prince.

The FMF funding allows the Haitian government to purchase defense-related equipment and services, with a particular emphasis on strengthening maritime security and supporting the Haitian Coast Guard. U.S. officials have framed the assistance as part of a broader effort to reinforce state institutions, improve operational capacity, and support Haitian-led security stabilization while respecting national sovereignty.

The announcement comes amid controversy surrounding the Ministry of Defense, including allegations of mismanagement and corruption raised earlier this month by senior ministry officials. While the late appointment of 341 soldiers has drawn criticism over timing and transparency, analysts note that the U.S. FMF decision carries longer-term strategic implications, offering the FAd’H a rare opportunity to modernize capabilities after years of limited resources.

Defense Minister Jean-Michel Moïse has described the U.S. decision as historic and has expressed interest in building a sustained defense partnership with Washington. Observers caution, however, that the impact of FMF support will ultimately depend on accountability, effective oversight, and the credible integration of personnel and equipment into operational structures.

Haitian National Police Receives First Tracked Armored Vehicles Through South Korean Support

The Haitian National Police (PNH) has taken delivery of three tracked armored vehicles donated by the government of South Korea, marking the first time the force has acquired this type of armored capability. The vehicles arrived by ship at the Port-au-Prince seaport on Thursday, with senior police officials present during the customs handover.

In a statement issued on February 5, the PNH said the donation forms part of bilateral cooperation between Haiti and South Korea and is intended to strengthen police operations against heavily armed criminal groups. The General Directorate noted that the vehicles will be deployed in support of ongoing anti-gang operations, particularly in high-risk urban areas where officers face sustained gunfire and improvised explosive threats.

Police identified the equipment as armored personnel carriers rather than battle tanks. Designed to transport officers safely during operations, the tracked vehicles provide enhanced mobility and protection compared to the lightly armored platforms previously used by the PNH.

Police Repel Renewed Armed Assault by Viv Ansanm Coalition in Kenscoff

Police forces successfully repelled another armed attack on the town of Kenscoff on the evening of Sunday, February 8, following an assault launched by members of the criminal coalition known as Viv Ansanm. The attack targeted the Morne Tranchant area, according to Kenscoff Mayor Massillon Jean.

The mayor stated that the assailants took advantage of dense fog to advance on the locality. Police units, already on heightened alert, responded swiftly and decisively. “The police repelled the attack with determination. Several attackers were wounded during the exchange of gunfire, and no casualties were reported among the security forces,” Mayor Jean said. During the operation, an armored police vehicle became stuck and overturned in a canal but was later recovered with the arrival of reinforcements. Gunfire reportedly continued intermittently throughout the night.

Kenscoff has experienced a sustained escalation of violence in recent weeks. On the night of January 29–30, at least seven people were killed in the village of Kay Jak, located between Kenscoff and the Southeast Department. On February 1, armed groups attacked Do Pitimi, abducting a 17-year-old girl and a pregnant woman before being pushed back by police. A subsequent police operation on February 2 in the Viard 2 and Godet areas resulted in the deaths of at least ten suspected gang members, according to local authorities.

U.S. Embassy INL-Backed P4000+ Program Accelerates Police Training as PNH Launches 36th Class

The Haitian National Police has launched training for its 36th class at the National Police Academy, marking a rapid continuation of its recruitment and training cycle just weeks after the graduation of the 35th class. The February 8 opening ceremony at the academy on Route des Frères brought in 1,200 recruits, including 239 women, underscoring the institution’s effort to expand force strength amid persistent security pressures.

This cohort represents the second intake under the P4000+ program, a strategic expansion initiative driven by the PNH with strong backing from international partners. Central to this effort is sustained support from the United States through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, whose assistance has been instrumental in accelerating training throughput, modernizing curricula, and reinforcing institutional capacity. Canada and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti also contribute, but INL support remains pivotal to scaling recruitment and maintaining operational standards at speed.

Senior PNH leadership attended the launch and confirmed that instructors, medical staff, and administrative teams are fully mobilized to manage the full training lifecycle through graduation. With INL-enabled resources and coordination, the PNH aims to sustain momentum, deepen operational readiness, and deliver a steady pipeline of trained officers to meet current and emerging security demands.

Grande Rivière du Nord Prison: AVRED Report Exposes Severe Humanitarian and Security Crisis

A new report published on February 8 by the Association of Volunteers for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Haiti (AVRED) has documented alarming conditions inside the Grande Rivière du Nord prison, following inspections carried out in December 2025 as part of a broader assessment of detention facilities in northern Haiti. The findings highlight a deepening structural and humanitarian crisis within Haiti’s prison system, with conditions described as incompatible with basic human rights and public health standards.

The facility currently holds 82 inmates, including men in pretrial detention, convicted prisoners, women, and minors. Despite the relatively small population, the prison operates without electricity, potable water, or functioning sanitation. Inmates are forced to use an open septic pit, creating persistent health hazards that affect both detainees and nearby residents. Prisoners sleep directly on the floor without bedding, and their clothing is reportedly torn and inadequate, raising serious concerns about human dignity and safety.

Healthcare services are extremely limited. The prison has no physician, psychologist, or social worker, and only two nurses attempt to provide care with minimal resources. Cases of tuberculosis, malaria, and skin diseases such as scabies have been reported, with no effective prevention or treatment mechanisms in place. Nutrition is also inadequate, with detainees receiving only two poorly balanced meals per day prepared under substandard hygienic conditions, contributing to malnutrition and worsening illness.

AVRED further notes severe operational shortcomings, including the absence of service vehicles for inmate transport, court appearances, or medical emergencies, as well as a critical shortage of trained police personnel. Guards work under unsafe conditions without proper equipment or accommodations. The report also cites the lack of independent oversight, insufficient separation between adults and minors, inadequate recordkeeping, and limited protections for women and juvenile detainees. In response, AVRED has issued an urgent appeal to Haitian authorities and international partners to rehabilitate infrastructure, restore basic services, strengthen medical and psychosocial care, increase staffing, and implement meaningful reintegration programs.

Sunrise Airways Opens Regional Hub in the Dominican Republic as Haiti–DR Flights Remain Suspended

Haitian carrier Sunrise Airways has announced the opening of a new regional hub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, expanding its inter-Caribbean network with new direct flights to Antigua and Tortola scheduled to begin in early March. The services will operate twice weekly using a 30-seat Embraer 140 aircraft flown by Sunrise Airways Dominicana, the airline’s Dominican subsidiary certified since 2019.

The new routes will link Santo Domingo to Antigua on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and to Tortola on Thursdays and Sundays. Sunrise Airways said the expansion aligns with its long-term strategy to strengthen Caribbean connectivity under its “One Caribbean” vision, supporting regional tourism, business travel, and economic integration. Since launching regional operations in 2012, the airline reports having transported approximately 1.85 million passengers across destinations including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Panama, the United States, and several island states.

However, the new hub does not signal a resumption of air service between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Flights between the two countries remain prohibited under measures imposed by the Dominican government. Since March 2024, Dominican authorities have maintained restrictions on air traffic with Haiti, citing security concerns and instability affecting Haitian airspace, particularly in and around Port-au-Prince. These restrictions remain in force as of February 2026.

As a result, Sunrise Airways’ expansion from Santo Domingo represents a regional pivot rather than a restoration of bilateral air service with Haiti. The airline has emphasized that its Dominican-based operations are intended to preserve and grow inter-Caribbean links while security and regulatory conditions continue to limit direct connectivity between the two neighboring countries.

PNH Launches “San Kanpe” Offensive to Sustain Pressure on Armed Gangs and Reopen Key Routes

The Haitian National Police (PNH) has announced the start of a new series of coordinated security operations under Operation “San Kanpe,” aimed at intensifying the fight against armed gangs and restoring freedom of movement on major roadways.

The initiative was formally presented during a high-level command meeting held on Monday, February 9, 2026, in Tabarre, chaired by the Director General of the PNH, André Jonas Vladimir Paraison. The meeting brought together departmental directors for West 1 and West 2, commanders of specialized units, and senior commissioners and inspectors from the West region.

According to the Police Communications Directorate (DICOP), the session focused on reviewing ongoing security operations and assessing progress achieved in several high-risk areas. Recent police actions were highlighted in Croix-des-Bouquets, Arcahaie, Tabarre, and central Port-au-Prince.

Director General Paraison commended officers deployed on the ground for their sustained efforts and underscored the importance of maintaining continuous pressure on armed groups. He reiterated that Operation “San Kanpe” is designed to permanently dismantle gang structures, secure national highways, and reassert state authority across strategic zones.

The PNH leadership also issued firm directives to ensure the effective execution of decisions taken during the meeting, emphasizing measurable results and operational coordination.

Meanwhile, the Commander-in-Chief of the Gang Repression Force (FRG), Godfrey Otunge, reaffirmed his unit’s commitment to supporting Haitian law enforcement. He stressed the determination of his troops to continue joint efforts against armed groups officially designated by authorities as terrorist organizations.

These new offensives are unfolding amid an ongoing volatile security environment, as the PNH seeks to regain control of critical territories and secure the country’s principal transport corridors.

Emergency Landing of Bolt Airlines Aircraft Near Les Cayes Prompts Aviation Safety Investigation

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, a twin-engine Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain charter aircraft, registration N45SR, operated by Bolt Airlines, was forced to make an emergency landing in the locality of Démion, within the Fonfrède area south of Les Cayes. The aircraft had been en route from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes and was carrying six occupants, including five passengers and one pilot. The cause of the emergency landing has not yet been determined.

In a statement issued several hours after the incident, Bolt Airlines confirmed that all individuals on board were unharmed. The airline emphasized that the evacuation was carried out safely and that no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.

Following notification of the incident, the National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC), under the direction of its Director General Reginald Guignard, immediately deployed inspectors and technical personnel to the site. These efforts were conducted in coordination with Hero Client Rescue to assess the situation and collect preliminary data.

With the support of the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the National Airport Authority (AAN), passengers were transported to a medical facility as a precautionary measure.

OFNAC has reassured the public that the incident is being handled in accordance with national and international aviation safety standards. A formal investigation has been opened to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the emergency landing. Authorities indicated that additional information will be released once the technical assessments and investigative findings are finalized.