Weekly report July 08 to July 15, 2026

Kenscoff under siege: escalating gang violence displaces thousands as armed groups expand through Haiti's mountain corridor

The security situation in Haiti's mountain commune of Kenscoff has deteriorated significantly following a series of coordinated attacks by the Viv Ansanm terrorist coalition, triggering the largest wave of displacement in the area in more than a year and raising concerns that gang influence is expanding beyond Port-au-Prince into strategic highland communities. The violence has left dozens dead or missing, displaced nearly 5,840 people in less than a week, destroyed homes and infrastructure, and forced thousands of civilians to flee into neighboring communities. Recent operational reporting also suggests that gang elements remain active in the mountains surrounding Kenscoff and may be attempting to establish new infiltration routes toward Fort Jacques, underscoring the continuing threat despite recent police operations.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 5,840 people representing 1,836 households fled their homes between July 4 and July 8, 2026, following coordinated gang attacks targeting Téléco, Robin, and surrounding localities within the Kenscoff commune. IOM assessed this as the commune's largest violenceinduced displacement in over a year. Approximately 86 percent of displaced families are currently sheltering with relatives or host families, while the remainder have sought refuge in temporary displacement sites. The rapid displacement has placed significant strain on already vulnerable communities and has created urgent humanitarian needs, including emergency shelter, food, potable water, medical care, hygiene supplies, and psychosocial support.

The attacks began around the Téléco sector before expanding into Robin and neighboring mountain communities during the night of July 7-8, when heavily armed members of the Viv Ansanm coalition launched coordinated assaults against civilian populations. Local authorities reported that gunmen executed residents, kidnapped civilians, looted and burned homes, and deliberately destroyed property as they advanced through the area. Numerous vehicles were also set ablaze, while large trees were felled across mountain roads in an apparent effort to prevent Haitian National Police (PNH) armored vehicles and reinforcements from reaching the affected communities. The destruction effectively isolated portions of Kenscoff for several hours, leaving residents trapped while armed groups operated with little immediate resistance.

Following subsequent security operations conducted by the Haitian National Police, supported by local community defense brigades, officers entered Robin where they discovered eight bodies inside a residence near a public transportation station. Three of the victims had been burned beyond recognition. Police also rescued a woman reportedly being held captive and recovered additional evidence indicating the severity of the attacks. Local officials caution that the full number of casualties remains unknown, as search operations continue in areas that remain difficult to access because of ongoing insecurity and damaged infrastructure.

One of the most disturbing allegations to emerge from the attacks concerns reports that gang members used the bodies of victims as part of road barricades intended to delay police intervention. The civil society organization Mouvement Point Final alleged that armed groups erected barricades composed of human remains and burned vehicle wreckage across roads leading into Robin and other communal sections of Kenscoff, preventing security forces from rapidly reaching the affected communities. Separately, Mayor Massillon Jean stated publicly that bodies may have been placed along certain routes together with felled trees used as roadblocks. While these reports have not yet been independently verified through official forensic or judicial investigations, multiple local sources have referenced the allegations, and they remain under review. If confirmed, such actions would represent one of the most extreme examples of psychological intimidation employed by Haitian gangs during the current conflict, combining tactical obstruction with deliberate terror directed against both civilians and responding security forces.

The humanitarian consequences continue to worsen. Beyond the destruction of homes and property, the attacks have forced families to abandon farms, livestock, and livelihoods in one of Haiti's most productive agricultural regions. Kenscoff supplies vegetables and agricultural products to much of the Port-auPrince metropolitan area, and prolonged insecurity threatens both local food production and regional supply chains. The displacement of thousands of residents into host communities also increases pressure on scarce food, water, sanitation, and healthcare resources.

Political leaders and civil society organizations have responded by urging the government to intensify security operations. The political organization Ayiti Kanpe publicly expressed solidarity with the displaced residents of Kenscoff and called upon Haitian authorities to significantly strengthen security measures, restore government control over occupied territories, assist internally displaced persons, and establish the conditions necessary for residents to safely return to their homes. The organization's Deputy Secretary-General, Ketler Léger, described Haiti's security situation as having reached a critical level and emphasized that displaced populations in Kenscoff, Artibonite, and the Central Plateau require immediate government attention. Mayor Massillon Jean likewise called for a permanent reinforcement of PNH forces in Kenscoff, arguing that short-duration operations have repeatedly failed to prevent gangs from returning after police units withdraw.

Operational reporting received during the evening of July 12 indicates that the threat remains active despite recent police operations. According to field reporting, armed gang members continue to operate within the mountain ranges surrounding Robin, the same area where the attacks occurred during the previous week. Their continued presence suggests that recent security operations disrupted, but did not eliminate gang activity within the commune.

Additional operational reporting indicates that members of the Viv Ansanm Terrorist Organization have reportedly advanced into the mountain ranges near Fort Jacques after moving north from Croix-des-Bouquets using secondary roads and routes connected to riverbeds. The use of these unimproved mountain roads and dry river channels is consistent with tactics previously employed by Haitian gangs to avoid police checkpoints and exploit difficult terrain for concealment and maneuver. While these reports remain operational in nature and await official confirmation, they are consistent with observed patterns of gang expansion into elevated terrain surrounding the Port-auPrince metropolitan area.

If confirmed, this movement represents a significant strategic development. Controlling or sustained influence over the mountain corridors linking Croix-des-Bouquets, Kenscoff, Fort Jacques, Fermathe, and Pétion-Ville would provide armed groups with increased operational flexibility while threatening one of the remaining relatively secure approaches into the capital. These elevated routes offer natural concealment, multiple avenues of movement, and opportunities to bypass traditional security checkpoints. They also increase the risk of attacks against isolated mountain communities while complicating the ability of the PNH to establish lasting territorial control.

The evolving situation reflects a notable shift in gang tactics. Rather than concentrating exclusively within densely populated urban neighborhoods, armed groups increasingly appear to be exploiting Haiti's mountainous terrain to maneuver around police operations, establish temporary staging areas, and launch attacks against vulnerable rural communities. This approach allows gangs to disperse quickly following security operations while maintaining the capability to return once police units redeploy elsewhere.

From a security perspective, recent events in Kenscoff demonstrate that although the Haitian National Police retains the ability to conduct targeted offensive operations, it continues to face significant challenges in maintaining a sustained presence in difficult terrain. Limited armored mobility, engineering assets, manpower, and logistical support hinder the PNH's ability to permanently clear roadblocks, secure mountain corridors, and prevent armed groups from reestablishing positions after operations conclude.

The humanitarian outlook remains equally concerning. Thousands of displaced residents continue to rely primarily on relatives and host families rather than formal displacement sites, reducing the visibility of the crisis while placing increasing pressure on already impoverished households. Immediate humanitarian priorities include emergency shelter, food assistance, potable water, medical services, protection for vulnerable populations, trauma counseling, and support to host communities absorbing the majority of displaced families.

The allegations regarding the use of victims' bodies in barricades remain credible but unconfirmed. They have been reported by local authorities and civil society organizations but have not yet been independently verified through official investigations or international human rights monitoring. Nevertheless, the allegations are consistent with an observable escalation in the brutality of gang operations and illustrate the increasing willingness of armed groups to employ terror tactics designed to intimidate both civilians and responding security forces.

Overall, the situation in Kenscoff has evolved from an isolated security incident into a broader operational and humanitarian crisis. The continued displacement of civilians, repeated gang incursions, reports of expanding movement toward Fort Jacques, and ongoing activity in the mountain ranges surrounding Robin indicate that the security environment remains highly volatile. Without sustained security operations supported by humanitarian assistance and long-term territorial stabilization, there remains a significant risk that gang influence will continue expanding through Haiti's central mountain corridor, threatening additional communities while further destabilizing the greater Port-au-Prince region.

Haiti formalizes operational framework with international gang repression force

The Haitian government has taken another step toward strengthening cooperation with the international Gang Repression Force (FRG) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing formal procedures for the transfer of detainees, weapons, ammunition, and other seized equipment during joint security operations.

The agreement was signed Tuesday by Minister of Justice and Public Security Dr. Patrick Pélissier and Jack Christofides, Special Representative of the Force Generation (FRG), providing a legal and administrative framework governing how evidence and arrested individuals will be transferred to Haitian authorities following FRG operations conducted in support of the Haitian National Police (PNH).

According to Haiti's Ministry of Justice and Public Security, the agreement applies nationwide and covers all persons apprehended, along with firearms, ammunition, vehicles, communications equipment, and other material seized during anti-gang operations.

The memorandum represents an important procedural milestone as the FRG continues expanding its presence across Haiti. Until now, one of the operational challenges facing multinational security missions has been ensuring that arrests and evidence collected during operations are transferred in accordance with Haitian law while maintaining a clear chain of custody for future judicial proceedings.

The Ministry stated that the agreement reinforces the government's commitment to restoring security throughout the country while creating conditions necessary for the organization of national elections. Officials emphasized that improving public security remains a prerequisite for the installation of democratically elected institutions and the country's broader political transition.

The FRG was established under a United Nations Security Council mandate to assist the Government of Haiti in combating heavily armed criminal organizations that continue to destabilize large portions of the country. Unlike previous international missions, the FRG is designed to operate in direct support of the Haitian National Police rather than replace it, with the long-term objective of gradually transferring security responsibilities back to Haitian institutions.

Once fully deployed, the multinational force is expected to include approximately 5,500 uniformed personnel supported by 50 civilian specialists responsible for planning, logistics, administration, and mission support. Its primary missions include assisting the PNH in offensive operations against armed gangs, protecting critical infrastructure, supporting the restoration of public order, and helping establish a secure environment for constitutional governance and elections.

In his inaugural report to the United Nations Security Council, Special Representative Jack Christofides outlined a strategy built around measurable operational benchmarks designed to progressively transition security responsibilities to Haitian authorities by 2028. He also stressed that achieving those objectives will require continued international support, including additional personnel, aviation assets, intelligence capabilities, engineering resources, and logistics.

Halo Solutions Firm notes that while largely administrative in nature, this memorandum is operationally significant. Successful counter-gang operations depend not only on tactical effectiveness but also on clear legal procedures governing arrests, evidence handling, and prosecution. Without such agreements, operational gains can be undermined by procedural challenges that complicate criminal prosecutions.

The agreement also reflects the continuing evolution of the FRG from a force-generation and deployment phase into sustained operational support. As additional international contingents arrive and the force expands, standardized procedures for detainee transfers and evidence management become increasingly important for maintaining operational legitimacy and ensuring compliance with Haitian law.

Whether this agreement translates into measurable improvements on the ground will ultimately depend on the FRG's continued expansion, the operational capacity of the Haitian National Police, and the ability of Haitian judicial institutions to process gangrelated cases efficiently. Nevertheless, the memorandum represents an important step toward integrating international security support within Haiti's legal framework and strengthening coordination between multinational forces and Haitian authorities.

A newly released strategic roadmap presented to the United Nations Security Council suggests that Haiti's fight against armed gangs is likely to remain a long-term campaign, with September 2028 identified as the earliest point at which the country could achieve the minimum level of security necessary to begin restoring government authority and public confidence.

The roadmap, submitted by Jack Christofides, Special Representative of the Gang Repression Force (FRG), outlines a phased security strategy focused on dismantling gang territorial control, strengthening Haitian security institutions, and creating conditions that would allow the Haitian government to gradually resume responsibility for national security.

Unlike previous international interventions, the report makes clear that the objective is not the complete elimination of gangs by 2028. Instead, the benchmark represents achieving sufficient security to permit the restoration of essential government functions, the reopening of major transportation corridors, and the rebuilding of public institutions.

The strategy identifies the West Department as the highest operational priority, where armed groups continue to dominate much of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Initial operations will focus on reclaiming key neighborhoods, reopening major highways, and securing critical infrastructure, including Toussaint Louverture International Airport, the country's principal seaports, detention facilities, and vital transportation routes. Additional efforts will target the Artibonite Department, where gangs continue disrupting agriculture and commerce, and the Centre Department, viewed as an important corridor to prevent further territorial expansion by criminal organizations.

According to the report, the FRG must first reach its planned strength of approximately 5,550 personnel before conducting the sustained, large-scale operations necessary to significantly reduce the operational capabilities of Haiti's most powerful gangs.

What distinguishes this mission from previous United Nations operations is both its mandate and its strategic approach. Earlier missions, including the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and its successor missions, primarily focused on peacekeeping, stabilization, institutional support, and maintaining public order following periods of political instability. While those missions conducted security operations, they generally operated within a traditional peacekeeping framework and often found themselves responding to violence rather than systematically dismantling entrenched criminal organizations.

The FRG, by contrast, was created specifically to support Haitian authorities in confronting heavily armed gangs that have evolved into sophisticated criminal networks exercising de facto territorial control over large portions of the country. Rather than serving as a conventional peacekeeping mission, the FRG is designed to conduct intelligence-driven offensive operations, either independently or alongside the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), while simultaneously building the capacity of Haitian security institutions to eventually assume full responsibility.

Another significant difference is the mission's emphasis on clearly defined strategic objectives and measurable benchmarks. Instead of maintaining an open-ended stabilization presence, the roadmap establishes phased operational goals tied to restoring territorial control, securing critical infrastructure, improving institutional capacity, and creating the conditions for a gradual transfer of security responsibilities back to Haitian authorities. This performance-based approach reflects lessons learned from previous international interventions, which were often criticized for lacking clearly defined end states and sustainable transition plans.

The roadmap also recognizes that military operations alone cannot resolve Haiti's crisis. Long-term success will depend on strengthening the justice system, rebuilding government institutions, expanding economic opportunities, restoring essential public services, and improving governance in communities reclaimed from gang control. Without those parallel efforts, security gains are unlikely to prove durable.

For many Haitians, the report serves as a sobering reminder that the country's recovery will likely be measured in years rather than months. While security operations are expected to increase as additional personnel and capabilities become available, the United Nations acknowledges that restoring lasting stability will require sustained political commitment, continued international support, and resilient Haitian institutions capable of maintaining security after the FRG's mission concludes.

Although the projected timeline may disappoint those hoping for a rapid resolution, it also reflects a more realistic assessment of the scale of Haiti's security crisis. Rather than promising quick victories, the roadmap recognizes that dismantling deeply entrenched gang networks, restoring state authority, and rebuilding public confidence will require a sustained, coordinated effort extending well beyond the immediate security response.

UN adds three more Haitian gangs to child rights blacklist, but operational impact remains uncertain

The United Nations has added Gran Grif, Kraze Baryè, and 400 Mawozo to the Secretary-General's 2025 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, formally released on June 16, 2026. The additions were announced by BINUH and UNICEF Haiti on July 13, expanding the list of Haitian armed groups cited for grave violations against children. The three organizations join the Viv Ansanm coalition, which was added during the previous reporting cycle.

The report documents a worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti. During 2025, the United Nations verified 2,088 grave violations affecting 1,661 children, including the recruitment and use of 892 child soldiers, as well as killings, sexual violence, kidnappings, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access. The UN notes these figures likely underrepresent the true scope of abuses due to limited access to gang-controlled areas.

The report also highlights Haiti's PREJEUNES reintegration program, which provided psychosocial support, education, family reunification, and community reintegration services to 573 children released from armed groups during 2025.

While the additional listings underscore the severity of the abuses, their practical impact is likely to be limited. Most of Haiti's major gangs and many of their leaders have already been sanctioned by the United Nations, the United States, Canada, the European Union, and other governments. Despite those measures, gang violence has continued to expand, territorial control has grown, and the recruitment of children has increased. Because these organizations operate largely outside the formal financial system and possess few legitimate international assets, additional sanctions and blacklist designations have produced little measurable operational effect on gang activity.

More encouraging is the continued development of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF). Although the multinational force remains in its force-generation and operational planning phase, it continues to build its command structure, expand international participation, strengthen coordination with the Haitian National Police (PNH), and establish the legal framework necessary for future joint operations. The recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of Haiti and the GSF governing the transfer of detainees, weapons, and seized equipment represents another important step toward achieving full operational capability.

Ultimately, the success of Haiti's security strategy will depend less on adding names to international sanctions lists and more on building an effective multinational security force capable of supporting the PNH in restoring state authority. While the UN blacklist remains an important accountability tool that documents abuses against children, lasting improvements will likely come through sustained security operations, stronger Haitian institutions, and continued international support led by the GSF and its partners.

Task force aviation supports pnh operation targeting suspected gang reinforcement route along Haiti's western coast

Several suspected gang members were reportedly killed Monday during a security operation supported by Task Force aviation assets between Lafiteau and the Arcadins coastline near Montrouis, in what appears to have been an effort to disrupt the movement of armed reinforcements and weapons into the lower Artibonite region.

According to Wilner René, the interim executive agent of Arcahaie, the operation involved two Task Force helicopters supporting the Haitian National Police (PNH) as they engaged two boats believed to be transporting armed gang members. Local officials reported that one vessel sank during the operation and that several suspected gang members were killed, although no official casualty figures have been released.

René stated that the boats were allegedly carrying armed reinforcements, ammunition, and supplies intended for criminal groups operating around Montrouis. If confirmed, the operation represents an effort to disrupt the maritime logistics network increasingly used by gangs to move personnel and weapons while avoiding police checkpoints along National Route 1.

Later Monday evening, residents reported heavy gunfire near Bercy and Cité Drapeau, underscoring the continued instability in the area. Local authorities remain concerned that the Viv Ansanm coalition, which already maintains influence in neighboring Cabaret, continues attempting to expand westward toward Arcahaie and the strategic coastal corridor leading into Artibonite.

At the time of publication, the Haitian National Police had not issued an official statement confirming the operation, its objectives, or its outcome. Consequently, the reported casualties and many operational details remain based primarily on statements from local authorities and await official verification.

The reported use of helicopters linked to the Government of Haiti's contracted Task Force adds a controversial dimension to the operation. The Task Force has operated with limited public transparency, and important questions remain regarding its command arrangements, legal authorities, rules of engagement, accountability mechanisms, and coordination with the PNH. Although local officials described the mission as a successful interdiction of gang reinforcements, the absence of an official police statement or independently verified casualty figures means the reported results should be assessed cautiously.

If confirmed, however, the operation suggests an increasing focus on targeting the logistical networks that sustain gang operations rather than responding only after attacks occur. Maritime routes along Haiti's western coastline have become increasingly important for the movement of fighters, weapons, ammunition, and other supplies, making them attractive targets for interdiction efforts.

Haiti's national ambulance center faces staff protest over unpaid salaries and employment status

Employees of Haiti's National Ambulance Center (CAN) staged a protest Friday outside the agency's headquarters on Route de Frères, demanding payment of unpaid salaries and the regularization of their employment status.

Protesters alleged that many employees have not received wages since Dr. Ricardo Jean-Baptiste assumed leadership of the institution and claimed that hundreds of staff members continue working without formal employment contracts. During the demonstration, protesters burned tires outside the facility and warned that a strike could follow if their demands are not addressed.

In response, CAN Director General Dr. Ricardo Jean-Baptiste attributed the unrest to administrative reforms launched since taking office in March 2026. He stated that his administration is focused on improving accountability and restructuring the agency rather than maintaining previous management practices.

According to Jean-Baptiste, an internal review identified questionable financial practices, including the use of debit cards reportedly loaded with between 100,000 and 300,000 gourdes per month that were allegedly issued to individuals with no official connection to the National Ambulance Center. He said those cards have since been suspended as part of broader financial oversight measures.

The director also acknowledged that approximately 200 employees have been working without formal contracts for an extended period. He said a commission has been established to regularize their employment, with contract files currently undergoing review through Haiti's Office of Management and Human Resources (OMRH) and the Superior Court of Accounts and Administrative Disputes (CSC/CA) before final approval.

Jean-Baptiste emphasized that he inherited many of the institution's administrative problems and should not be held responsible for commitments made before his appointment. He also condemned the burning of tires outside the CAN headquarters, describing it as an unlawful act that endangered public property.

The protest highlights broader governance challenges facing Haiti's public institutions, where administrative reforms aimed at improving transparency often expose longstanding payroll irregularities and informal employment practices. While employees continue to demand overdue compensation, the dispute also illustrates the difficulties government agencies face in balancing institutional reform with maintaining essential public services such as emergency medical response.

Haitian opposition leader moïse jean-charles summoned following calls for mass mobilization

Former Haitian Senator Moïse JeanCharles, one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures, has been summoned to appear before the Port-auPrince Prosecutor’s Office on July 16 following recent public statements calling for a nationwide “déchoukaj,” or popular upheaval, after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Jean-Charles recently urged supporters to mobilize in an effort to force the departure of de facto Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, arguing that the transitional government has failed to restore security, improve governance, or create the conditions necessary for credible elections. His comments have generated political controversy amid Haiti’s worsening security crisis and increasingly polarized political environment.

The Port-au-Prince Prosecutor’s Office has not publicly disclosed the legal basis for the summons or whether Jean-Charles is being questioned as part of a criminal investigation. In response, the opposition leader described the action as “political persecution” intended to intimidate government critics and suppress dissent. He has indicated that he will maintain his political position and continue his public engagement.

Moïse Jean-Charles has been a prominent and polarizing figure in Haitian politics for more than two decades. He previously served as mayor of Milot and later as senator for the North Department. He first rose to national prominence through the Fanmi Lavalas movement before forming his own political party, Pitit Dessalines, in 2015.

Pitit Dessalines, meaning “Children of Dessalines,” takes its name from Haiti’s founding leader, Jean-Jacques Dessalines. The party promotes Haitian nationalism, opposition to corruption, greater sovereignty, social justice, and resistance to foreign interference in national political affairs. Jean-Charles has also run for president and remains one of the country’s most vocal critics of successive governments and international influence in Haiti.

Throughout his career, Jean-Charles has frequently relied on demonstrations, public mobilization, and confrontational political rhetoric. His supporters portray him as a defender of Haiti’s poor and an uncompromising opponent of corruption. His critics argue that his language can deepen instability and encourage unrest during already fragile political periods.

The summons comes as Haiti’s transitional authorities face growing pressure to improve security, organize elections, and restore public confidence in state institutions. Widespread gang violence, weak governance, and public frustration continue to shape the country’s political environment.

Whether the prosecutor’s action is viewed as a legitimate legal inquiry or an attempt to pressure a political opponent will depend largely on the transparency of the proceedings and whether authorities publicly explain the legal basis for the summons. Regardless of the outcome, the case is likely to increase political tensions in the days ahead.

Zed airlines’ Montreal service suspended over regulatory issues

The cancellation of ZED Airlines planned Cap-Haïtien–Montreal service has raised concerns regarding regulatory compliance and consumer protection within Haiti’s aviation sector

According to Transport Canada, as reported by AyiboPost, ZED Airlines did not possess the Canadian authorizations required to operate the June 8, 2026, flight, and the service was therefore not authorized to proceed. Despite this, tickets had already been marketed and sold to passengers.

Source: AyiboPost, “ZED Airlines Sold Tickets for an Illegal Flight,” June 2026

ZED Airlines disputes that characterization, stating that the cancellation resulted from last-minute administrative and operational requirements communicated by Canadian authorities rather than deficiencies in its operating authority.

Source: HaitiLibre, “ZED Airlines: Flights from Cap-Haïtien to Montreal Cancelled,” June 9, 2026.

Public records indicate that ZED’s announced partner carriers, World Atlantic Airlines and Global Crossing Airlines, have held Canadian authority for certain operations. The apparent issue was therefore more likely whether the specific Haiti–Canada service and commercial arrangement had received all required approvals before tickets were sold. Sources: Canadian Transportation Agency Air Carrier Licence Database; Transport Canada foreign air-operator requirements.

The cancellation left passengers seeking alternative travel arrangements, with some reporting additional hotel expenses, rerouting costs, and difficulty obtaining refunds.

The case highlights the importance of close coordination between Haitian aviation authorities and their international counterparts to ensure all regulatory requirements are satisfied before new international routes are launched. OFNAC has not publicly commented on the specific issues raised in this case.

References

• AyiboPost. “ZED Airlines Sold Tickets for an Illegal Flight.” June 2026.

• HaitiLibre. “ZED Airlines: Flights from Cap-Haïtien to Montreal Cancelled.” June 9, 2026.

• Transport Canada. Foreign Air Operator certification requirements.

• Canadian Transportation Agency. Air Carrier Licence Database.

Royal Caribbean extends suspension of labadee calls through June 2027

Royal Caribbean has confirmed that it will continue to suspend cruise ship visits to its private destination at Labadee, Haiti, through at least the end of June 2027, extending an earlier decision that removed the port from all itineraries for the remainder of 2026.

In a statement provided to passengers, the cruise line said the decision was based on its ongoing assessment of conditions in Haiti and its commitment to the safety of guests and crew. The company stated that affected passengers are being notified directly of itinerary changes.

Royal Caribbean had previously announced the suspension of all Labadee calls through December 2026 due to security concerns in Haiti. The latest extension affects sailings scheduled during the first half of 2027, with alternate ports being substituted on impacted itineraries.

Labadee, located on Haiti's northern coast, is a private destination owned and operated by Royal Caribbean and is geographically isolated from the country's primary areas of instability. However, the company has continued to cite evolving security conditions and operational considerations as the basis for maintaining the suspension.

Dominican Republic confirms it will not deploy troops to Haiti

Dominican President Luis Abinader has confirmed that the Dominican Republic will not deploy military or police personnel to Haiti as part of the U.N.- backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

Speaking during a July 12 interview, Abinader said his government will continue providing medical, humanitarian, logistical, and coordination support, but ruled out any direct security role inside Haiti.

"We do not have direct participation. What we have is logistical participation. We provide support, medical humanitarian assistance, and coordination," Abinader said.

The announcement addresses longstanding concerns in Haiti over the possibility of Dominican security forces operating on Haitian soil, given the two countries' complex historical relationship and ongoing border and migration issues.

The GSF, which replaced the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in late 2025, is expected to expand to approximately 5,500 personnel. According to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, more than 1,000 personnel from 10 countries have already deployed.

Former president Michel martelly returns to Haiti

Former Haitian President Michel Martelly returned to Haiti on July 15, 2026, after spending several years in Florida. His return comes as Haitian judicial authorities continue their supplementary investigation into the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

Martelly is expected to appear before the Port-au-Prince Court of Appeal as part of the ongoing inquiry. A previous court appearance scheduled for June was postponed.

His return also comes while he remains subject to U.S. and Canadian sanctions. In 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Martelly, alleging links to drug trafficking networks and support for armed gangs. Canada imposed similar sanctions in 2022. Martelly has not been criminally convicted of the allegations underlying those sanctions.

In Haiti, Martelly has also been cited in a report by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) concerning alleged irregularities in his asset declarations. That matter remains separate from the Moïse assassination investigation.

Supporters gathered outside Martelly's residence in Pétion-Ville to welcome his return, creating a visible security and media presence.

Martelly's arrival marks a significant political and judicial development as Haiti continues its investigation into the assassination of President Moïse while related criminal proceedings remain ongoing in the United States.

Political fragmentation and democratic governance in Haiti: assessing the impact of more than 300 political parties on electoral stability

A video circulating on social media and reportedly posted by Johnson "Izo" André, leader of the 5 Segonn gang, also known as Unité Village de Dieu (UVD), shows supporters celebrating Argentina's FIFA World Cup victory. The footage depicts a gathering in which Argentine flags are waved while music plays and supporters celebrate.

The video's release comes despite nearly a year of sustained operations by the Haitian National Police (PNH) Task Force targeting UVD's stronghold in Village de Dieu. Over the past year, the area has been subjected to numerous armed drone strikes, repeated tactical incursions, and intelligence-driven operations aimed at degrading the gang's operational capability and locating or capturing Izo. While these operations have reportedly resulted in the deaths of several gang members and the destruction of equipment and infrastructure, Izo has continued to evade security forces.

Johnson André, better known as Izo, commands the 5 Segonn/UVD organization, which controls all of Village de Dieu, one of Haiti's most strategically significant gang strongholds. Situated along National Route 2 and adjacent to key maritime access points, the area provides the organization with control over the primary corridor linking Port-auPrince to Haiti's southern peninsula while facilitating illicit trafficking activities.

The 5 Segonn/UVD organization has evolved into one of Haiti's most powerful criminal enterprises. In addition to kidnappings, extortion, attacks on security forces, and armed assaults, the gang has become deeply involved in transnational trafficking. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), criminal organizations operating along Haiti's southern coastline play a significant role in facilitating cocaine shipments from South America toward Caribbean and North American markets. Security reporting has also linked the area to firearms trafficking and "guns-forganja" exchanges involving Jamaican criminal organizations.

The organization has also significantly expanded its arsenal in recent years. Security forces have documented the gang's use of military-grade weapons, including FN FAL battle rifles, belt-fed machine guns, anti-material rifles, and large quantities of ammunition, reflecting increasingly sophisticated international trafficking networks supplying Haitian gangs.

Despite the sustained pressure from the PNH Task Force, the release of this latest video appears intended to demonstrate that Izo remains alive, retains control over Village de Dieu, and continues to project influence over one of Haiti's most fortified gang enclaves.

The video serves as another reminder that while the PNH has significantly improved its operational capabilities through expanded drone operations, intelligenceled targeting, and coordinated ground assaults, dismantling Haiti's most entrenched criminal organizations and removing their leadership remains one of the country's most difficult security challenges.

Cap-haïtien launches citywide measures ahead of patronal feast and champèt festival

As Cap-Haïtien prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for its annual Patronal Feast and Champèt Festival, municipal authorities have introduced a series of public order, sanitation, and traffic measures aimed at improving the city's appearance and managing the expected influx of visitors.

Led by Mayor Michel Saint-Croix, the initiative forms part of a broader campaign to restore municipal authority, improve public services, and enhance CapHaïtien's reputation as one of Haiti's principal tourism and cultural destinations. Since returning to office earlier this year, Saint-Croix has prioritized urban cleanup, waste removal, public space management, and coordination with government agencies to improve the city's infrastructure and governance.

Under the new measures, motorists are required to carry valid identification, driver's licenses, and vehicle registration documents. Motorcycle operators must wear appropriate footwear, while vehicles lacking license plates, functioning lights, or presenting significant safety or maintenance deficiencies may be prohibited from operating within the city.

Municipal authorities have also launched beautification initiatives requiring property owners to repaint building façades by July 31, 2026, with paint being provided in certain designated areas while property owners remain responsible for labor costs. The effort complements Operation Chapelet, an ongoing campaign focused on clearing sidewalks, improving traffic flow, reducing illegal street vending, addressing improper parking, and strengthening sanitation throughout the city.

The measures have generated mixed reactions among residents. Supporters view the initiative as an important step toward restoring order, improving public safety, and promoting tourism. Others have expressed concerns about the practical challenges of complying with some of the new requirements, including obtaining identification documents and maintaining vehicle standards given local road conditions.

Municipal officials have indicated that enforcement efforts will continue throughout the festival period, emphasizing that the objective is to present a cleaner, safer, and more organized Cap-Haïtien while reinforcing long-term improvements in municipal governance.