
Weekly Report May 20 to May 27
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May 27, 2025
HAITIAN POLICE FORCES TARGET VITELHOMME INNOCENT’S GANG BASE IN BACK-TO-BACK OPERATIONS IN PERNIER
On Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23, 2025, the Haitian National Police (PNH) carried out successive high-impact operations in the Pernier area of PétionVille, striking a major blow to the gang led by Vitelhomme Innocent, head of the “Kraze Baryè” network. Under the leadership of Director General Rameau Normil, the operations involved multiple specialized units supported by drone teams and tactical forces. During the initial raid on Thursday, police engaged in armed confrontations with gang members, resulting in the deaths of several heavily armed individuals. Authorities also seized a large cache of military and logistical equipment, including an M-1 rifle, magazines for Galil, M4, and Kalashnikov rifles, assorted ammunition, 16 communication radios, a gas mask, flashlights, a drill, a defective pistol, a baton holder, a drone box, and a screen-printing machine.
The following day, on Friday, May 23, police forces advanced deeper into the gang’s stronghold in the Torcelle section of Pernier. Officers entered a site identified as a “péristyle,” a space used for mystical ceremonies by Vitelhomme and his affiliates. Upon arrival, police exchanged gunfire with the gang leader and his men, who ultimately fled the scene under heavy fire, abandoning two vehicles inside the compound. The area was searched and partially dismantled by law enforcement. A video later released by the PNH showed officers confiscating additional materials and engaging in symbolic actions, including drumming inside the recovered ritual space. The two-day offensive underscores the PNH’s renewed resolve to dismantle entrenched criminal networks and reclaim territory under gang control. Haitian authorities have reiterated their commitment to pursuing fugitives and restoring public safety, while urging citizens at home and abroad to remain united in the fight for national security.
TASK FORCE HAITI LAUNCHES COORDINATED RAIDS AND DRONE STRIKES ON GANG STRONGHOLDS
Task Force Haiti carried out a series of high-impact operations between May 22 and May 25, 2025, targeting key gang enclaves in Pernier and Village-de-Dieu, the respective strongholds of gang leaders Vitelhomme Innocent and Johnson André, also known as "Izo 5 Second." The operations involved both ground raids and aerial drone strikes and marked a dramatic escalation in the government’s offensive against organized armed groups. According to Pierre Espérance, Executive Director of the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), the assault on Village-de-Dieu left at least thirty gang members dead and more than one hundred wounded. In the earlier raid on Pernier, approximately fifteen gang affiliates were reportedly neutralized. Kamikaze drones were used in both operations, striking specific targets including a vehicle believed to be transporting Izo. Although his fate remains uncertain, several of his close associates were killed or seriously injured. Significant material damage was also reported in the affected neighborhoods.
In Pernier’s Tabarre-Torcel section, droneassisted strikes destroyed several gang installations, and police forces raided a site identified as a ritual temple used by Vitelhomme’s Kraze Baryé network. While rumors circulated on social media that both Izo and Vitelhomme were seriously wounded, Espérance clarified that neither appeared to have sustained critical injuries, though Vitelhomme may have been slightly hurt. These coordinated operations reflect a notable shift in counter-gang strategy, combining technological assets and tactical units under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s security task force and the Haitian National Police (PNH). While the precise nature of collaboration between political authorities and law enforcement remains undefined, the evolving approach signals an increasingly aggressive effort to retake control of territory and dismantle criminal networks. The Haitian government has yet to release official casualty reports, but the task force has begun sharing operational updates via its new social media account @TaskForce_Haiti.
ARMED CLASHES IN ARTIBONITE: GRAN GRIF GANG LAUNCHES DEADLY ASSAULT ON JEAN DENIS
On the morning of Monday, May 26, 2025, armed members of the Gran Grif gang, based in Savien, launched a violent attack on rival factions in the areas of Jean Denis and Barrage. The assault sparked intense armed confrontations between the two groups, resulting in multiple casualties, including both fatalities and gunshot injuries. Local residents reported that several homes in Jean Denis were set on fire by the invading gang.
Jean Denis, located in the second communal section of Petite-Rivière in the Artibonite department, has descended into chaos as violence erupted once again. The latest assault by the Gran Grif gang, led by Luckson Élan is seen as an attempt to expand their control over the region, according to internally displaced residents.
The attack left a trail of destruction. In addition to the wounded, several homes and commercial establishments in Jean Denis were burned to the ground. Victims of gunshot wounds were rushed to healthcare facilities in Petite-Rivière for urgent treatment.
Terrified and displaced, the local population is urgently appealing for intervention by security forces, including the national police, the military, and the Multinational Security Support Mission. Residents specifically called for the deployment of kamikaze drones to repel further advances by the Gran Grif gang and restore security to the area.
KENYA URGES GLOBAL SUPPORT TO SUSTAIN HAITI SECURITY MISSION AMID FUNDING CRISIS
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has renewed calls for greater international support to sustain the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti. During a diplomatic visit to Brazil, Mudavadi emphasized the urgent need for the United Nations, the United States, and countries across the Americas to fulfill and expand their financial commitments to the UN-backed operation. He engaged in high-level discussions with Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscoring Kenya’s continued leadership role in Haiti and exploring broader cooperation in trade, agriculture, tourism, and security. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to strengthen bilateral ties between Kenya and Brazil, reflecting growing multilateral engagement in addressing both regional and global challenges.
Despite Kenya deploying over 800 officers to Haiti as part of its commitment, the MSS mission continues to face serious obstacles, including a significant funding shortfall, only $85 million has been pledged against a projected $600 million annual requirement. The deployment has also faced legal and political challenges in Kenya, with a High Court ruling initially halting the mission due to constitutional concerns and human rights organizations raising alarms over the conduct of Kenyan police. Nevertheless, the Kenyan Parliament later approved the deployment, allowing the mission to move forward. With increasing pressure on the United States to either reinforce or replace the Kenya-led mission with a fully UN-managed peacekeeping force, Mudavadi’s appeal to Brazil signals Nairobi’s intent to rally global partners and stabilize Haiti through a cooperative international framework.
OAS FACES MOUNTING PRESSURE TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR HAITI AMID ESCALATING GANG CRISIS
The Organization of American States (OAS) is under increasing pressure to intensify its role in addressing the deepening security crisis in Haiti, as a United Nations-backed mission led by Kenyan police struggles with severe shortages in funding and personnel. The call to action came during an OAS session held just one day after notorious gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, aka “Barbecue”, urged residents of Delmas 30 in Port-au-Prince to allow armed groups to pass through the neighborhood in an attempt to overthrow the Haitian prime minister and the transitional presidential council. Gangs now control over 85 percent of the capital and have also expanded their reach into Haiti’s central region in recent months, raising alarm across the hemisphere.
Haitian officials, including Minister of Justice and Public Security Patrick Pélissier and Defense Minister Jean Michel Moïse, made urgent appeals for more concrete international support. Moïse highlighted the inadequacy of Haiti’s military, which consists of only about 1,000 lightly trained personnel, describing the ongoing urban warfare as far beyond their capacity. Pélissier emphasized that the smuggling of firearms, many originating from the United States, continues to fuel the violence and instability. While both ministers expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown so far, they insisted that Haiti now needs tangible actions rather than symbolic gestures. The OAS meeting was also attended by Barbara Feinstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti at the U.S. Department of State, who participated following calls from Secretary Mark Rubio for the OAS to take a more proactive stance in resolving the Haitian crisis.
PÉLIGRE HYDROELECTRIC PLANT SHUTS DOWN AS GANG PRESENCE FORCES RESIGNATION AND THREATENS POWER SUPPLY TO PORT-AUPRINCE
Engineer Jacky Fleurilus, acting head of the Péligre hydroelectric plant, has resigned amid escalating gang activity in the region. In a letter dated Thursday, May 22, addressed to Jean-Erol Morose, Director General of Électricité d’Haïti (Ed’H), Fleurilus confirmed his resignation, citing untenable working conditions created by armed groups operating near the facility in Mirebalais. His departure comes as the plant, responsible for supplying approximately 54 megawatts of electricity to Port-au-Prince, which represents a substantial portion of the capital's power supply, remains shut down for over a week.
The closure stems directly from threats posed by gangs, which have made it unsafe for technical personnel to operate or maintain the facility. Local civil society organizations are demanding that authorities take immediate and concrete action to remove these armed groups, stating that the plant will not resume operations until security is restored. Meanwhile, Ed’H officials warn that the accumulation of water behind the dam, especially during this rainy season, threatens the structural integrity of the facility. A recent controlled release of water to reduce pressure led to flooding in several parts of the Lower Artibonite region, causing significant agricultural and livestock losses. Without swift intervention, both Haiti’s energy security and critical national infrastructure remain at serious risk.
HOSPITALS IN GANG-CONTROLLED CARREFOUR OPERATE AMID COLLAPSE OF STATE AUTHORITY
For over a year, the commune of Carrefour, just outside Port-au-Prince, has been entirely under the control of armed gangs. Following an attack on the Oméga police station more than thirteen months ago, law enforcement has completely withdrawn, leaving a vacuum now filled by criminal groups. Despite the absence of public authorities, commercial banks, schools, public transportation, markets, and businesses continue to operate under the authority of the gang leader based in Tibwa. While Médecins Sans Frontières has closed its facility in the area, several other hospitals remain open, quietly treating the local population and, reportedly, injured gang members as well.
Medical professionals at two main hospitals in Carrefour Diquini Hospital continue to treat gunshot victims. Although healthcare regulations require doctors to report such cases to the police, one physician noted that "in Carrefour, there is no authority left to notify." Both doctors acknowledged that they are seeing more gunshot wounds but emphasized that their duty is to treat all patients without discrimination. Their hospitals remain operational despite significant supply chain challenges caused by insecurity along National Road Number 2.
To obtain medical supplies and other essentials, hospital administrators are forced to pay gangs that have set up roadblocks and extortion points along the route. Still, unlike other conflict zones in Haiti, the armed groups in Carrefour have allowed hospitals and private institutions to operate without interference. Medical staff describe a strange form of coexistence in which services continue under gang rule.
U.S. CITIZEN SENTENCED TO 210 YEARS FOR DECADES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AT HAITIAN ORPHANAGE
Michael Karl Geilenfeld, a 73-year-old U.S. citizen from Littleton, Colorado, was sentenced to 210 years in federal prison for the systematic sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of children at an orphanage he founded and operated in Haiti. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Geilenfeld established the St. Joseph's Home for Boys in 1985, a shelter for orphaned and vulnerable boys, which he directed for over twenty years. During that time, he repeatedly traveled from the United States to Haiti and sexually abused numerous boys in his care. He also subjected children to physical punishment and emotional manipulation as part of a broader pattern of abuse and control.
In February 2025, a federal jury convicted Geilenfeld of one count of international travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and six counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country between 2005 and 2010, with each count involving a different child victim. Survivors testified about the devastating impact of his abuse, as did others who were not directly part of the criminal charges but experienced similar treatment. The U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation, with prosecutors emphasizing that the case was built on the courage of survivors. Officials stated that Geilenfeld exploited his position of trust under the guise of humanitarian work and reiterated the government’s commitment to holding child predators accountable, regardless of when or where the crimes occurred. This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combatting child exploitation and sexual abuse.
DOMINICA PM CALLS FOR DIALOGUE WITH HAITIAN GANGS TO RESOLVE CRISIS
Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has proposed direct dialogue with gang leaders in Haiti as a potential step toward resolving the country’s deepening security and political crisis. Speaking at a press conference, Skerrit emphasized that gangs have become an integral part of Haitian society, filling roles traditionally held by the state in many impoverished areas. He argued that sanctions alone will not change their behavior and warned that drone strikes and military force could worsen the situation.
Skerrit, who previously chaired CARICOM, said he had approached Norway to support potential negotiations, drawing parallels to the successful peace talks between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla movement. He noted that while engagement may be controversial, gangs function as de facto authorities in parts of Haiti and must be part of the peace process. He suggested giving them a chance to change their ways, adding that if they refuse, then targeted actions could follow. Skerrit also expressed willingness to travel to Haiti to participate in such discussions.
U.S. WILL NOT SANCTION HUMANITARIAN GROUPS PAYING GANG TOLLS IN HAITI, SAYS SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO
During a congressional hearing on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that humanitarian organizations delivering aid in Haiti will not face sanctions for paying gang-imposed tolls to access communities in need. Rubio acknowledged that many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are forced to make such payments to distribute aid in areas controlled by armed groups, especially after the U.S. officially designated gangs like Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as terrorist organizations earlier in May. He stressed that these anti-terror sanctions are not intended to penalize humanitarian actors or commercial operators working under coercion. His comments eased growing concerns within the humanitarian sector and among Haitian businesses that were afraid of being inadvertently criminalized for trying to reach populations in crisis.
Rubio used the hearing to outline, for the first time publicly, his broader vision for U.S. policy on Haiti. He proposed that the Organization of American States (OAS) should eventually replace the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) with a more regionally anchored force. While expressing gratitude to Kenya for its courage and leadership, Rubio emphasized that Haiti’s crisis demands a coordinated regional response, not just a temporary external deployment. He described the Haitian situation as unlike any other, characterizing it as a country overtaken by criminal syndicates, not political actors. With gang members estimated at 45,000, Rubio warned that their goal is not governance but territorial control. “If there is no government, it is like the mafia taking over all five boroughs of New York,” he stated, underlining the need for a new international framework capable of addressing state collapse due to organized crime.
SUNRISE AIRWAYS OPERATES EXPENSIVE CHARTER FLIGHTS AMID SECURITY CRISIS AS GOVERNMENT PLANS DOMESTIC AVIATION RELIEF
As persistent insecurity grounds regular domestic flights across Haiti, Sunrise Airways continues to operate private charter services priced between 800 and 1,200 U.S. dollars—nearly ten times higher than the standard fare of approximately 150 dollars for previously scheduled domestic routes. Due to rising violence in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, Sunrise Airways, along with other airlines, has suspended its regular commercial flights. However, it still offers limited charter flights departing from Guy Malary Airport, using both airplanes and helicopters. Despite the high cost, these charter services remain in demand among those who can afford them, though availability is inconsistent and delays can leave passengers waiting for days
In light of the growing transportation gap and economic exclusion, a government initiative is reportedly underway to restore access to regular domestic air travel. According to a credible official source, the administration of Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has placed over 10 million U.S. dollars in a commercial bank in the United States as a financial guarantee to support the resumption of scheduled flights. A formal memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed soon with Sunrise Airways. The goal of this partnership is to reestablish vital domestic routes, including Port-auPrince–Les Cayes, Port-au-Prince–CapHaïtien, and Cap-Haïtien–Les Cayes, in order to alleviate the burden on travelers and improve national connectivity.
GANG LEADER “KOULOU” DIES AFTER ARREST IN NORTHERN HAITI POLICE CRACKDOWN
Valmyr Fabius, also known as "Koulou," the 27-year-old leader of the armed gang “Dinozò” operating in Nan Zombi near CapHaïtien, was arrested on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the commune of Limonade. He was captured alongside an accomplice, Variste Ancelot, alias “Satan,” aged 23. The two men had fled their stronghold following a previous police intervention on May 3. Shortly after their arrest, Fabius experienced a medical emergency and was transported to Justinien Hospital in CapHaïtien, where he later died during the night of May 21–22. A local magistrate confirmed the death and conducted the legal formalities.
The operation continued the next morning, Thursday, May 22, with the support of local residents. A third gang member, Nixon Vixamar, known as “Ti Bab,” 38, was apprehended, and authorities seized an improvised firearm. The Northern Departmental Directorate of the Haitian National Police reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling the Dinozò gang and restoring public safety in the region. The arrest and subsequent actions mark a significant step in weakening the group’s presence in northern Haiti.
HAITI LAUNCHES MASTER PLAN FOR MODERNIZATION OF LES CAYES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Haitian Minister of Public Works Raphaël Hosty officially launched the development studies and master planning process for Antoine Simon International Airport in Les Cayes. The event took place in the airport’s reception hall and marked a strategic milestone in the broader effort to modernize Haiti’s aviation infrastructure. Supported by the Transport and Regional Connectivity Program and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the initiative aims to equip Haiti’s southern region with a modern, internationally compliant airport platform to stimulate economic growth, enhance tourism, and improve both domestic and international connectivity.
The ceremony gathered key stakeholders, including the Mayor of Les Cayes, the Departmental Delegate of the South, the Director General of the National Airport Authority (AAN), representatives of the National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC), the Southern Chamber of Commerce, and officials from the Ministry of Public Works’ implementation agency. French consulting firm Artelia Group & Génie Conseils was introduced as the lead firm for the project studies. Minister Hosty emphasized the critical role of the initiative in revitalizing the economy of Haiti’s southern region, projecting it as a catalyst for new investment, job creation, and long-term regional development.
MULTINATIONAL MISSION PRIORITIZES PROTECTION OF HAITI’S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WITH FOCUS ON APN PORT
The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) has made the protection of Haiti’s critical national infrastructure a top priority. Strategic sites including Toussaint Louverture International Airport, seaports, schools, hospitals, and communication towers are receiving heightened security to ensure the continuity of essential services and safeguard national stability. This proactive security posture plays a vital role in deterring sabotage and preserving access and functionality at these key facilities. In coordination with senior officials from the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the MSS recently conducted a comprehensive assessment of the Port Authority of Haiti (APN). As the country’s primary maritime gateway, the APN oversees all public port operations, with the Port International de Port-au-Prince identified as the most strategic. The APN port is central to Haiti’s economic, humanitarian, and security infrastructure. Securing and modernizing this facility is essential not only for economic recovery but also for strengthening the country’s long-term resilience. The MSS is committed to ensuring that the port remains under full government control to facilitate legitimate trade. Establishing a Forward Operating Base (FOB) within the port remains a high priority in restoring state authority and ensuring uninterrupted flows of goods.
MSS CONDUCTS JOINT EMERGENCY RESPONSE DRILL TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONAL READINESS IN HAITI
Security teams from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) conducted a joint emergency preparedness and response exercise at their base, bringing together all participating contingents from Kenya, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador, along with medical teams from the Level 2 Aspen Hospital and members of the local community. The primary objective of the drill was to enhance the MSS's operational capabilities and ensure the safety of both personnel and local residents in the event of gang attacks, civil unrest, or natural disasters. The exercise also aimed to preserve the mission’s rapid response capacity, minimize potential collateral damage, and reduce casualties during this critical phase of operations.
Supervised by MSS commanders, the drill formed part of a series of joint simulations conducted by the mission’s security forces. It comes at a pivotal time as MSS personnel, working alongside the Haitian National Police (PNH), have regained control of key infrastructure once occupied by gangs, including communication towers, the IGPNH building, and the National Police Academy. As decisive operations continue, MSS security teams remain fully committed to ongoing collaboration in training and strategic response efforts. By leveraging diverse expertise and promoting seamless coordination, the mission reinforces its commitment to restoring security, stability, and resilience in Haiti.
RISING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE TRIGGERS URGENT RESPONSE FROM PAHO AND WHO
As armed violence intensifies across the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, there has been a disturbing surge in genderbased violence, disproportionately affecting women and girls. In response, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) are supporting Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health in coordination with local partners to meet the growing needs of survivors. According to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, nearly 6,500 cases of gender-based violence were reported in 2024, with over 1,250 new cases already documented in the first two months of 2025. Humanitarian actors believe these figures are significantly underreported due to stigma, fear, and limited access to services. More than 60 percent of cases involve sexual violence, frequently tied to forced displacement by armed gangs.
To address this emergency, PAHO/WHO and partners backed by funding from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the European Union’s ECHO are supporting a strengthened medical and psychosocial response. In displacement sites, 11 psychologists and 11 social workers have been deployed to provide direct care to women and girls identified as victims of sexual violence. These trained professionals, coordinated by the West Departmental Health Directorate, offer psychosocial support, counseling, and referrals to medical services. Local organizations such as Kay Fanm, SOFA, and Fondation TOYA are playing a vital role in building community trust, identifying cases, and guiding survivors through what is often a long and complex recovery process. In parallel, nine health facilities in the hardest-hit areas are being re-equipped with essential tools for managing sexual violence cases, including gynecological exam tables, rape treatment kits, sterile instruments, and critical medications. Fifty healthcare workers will be trained or retrained in gender-sensitive clinical and psychosocial care protocols. PAHO/WHO and its partners aim to restore dignity and hope to survivors, break the silence surrounding sexual violence, and ensure every woman and girl receives care rooted in respect and compassion. “We cannot turn away from this crisis,” said Dr. Oscar Barreneche, PAHO/WHO Representative in Haiti. “It is our collective responsibility to support victims, strengthen health systems, and ensure access to quality care for all survivors.”
ARMED GANGS SEIZE CUSTOMS OFFICE AT MALPASSE
A heavily armed group led by an individual known as “Benbenn” stormed the Malpasse customs office on the HaitianDominican border, according to the General Customs Administration (AGD). During the May 23 attack, customs officers were assaulted, official documents were destroyed, and several impounded trucks were taken, reportedly in full view of the PoliFRONT border police, who were unable to intervene. The attack came after the seizure of three trucks found in violation of a Ministry of Economy and Finance directive. Since then, the gang has maintained full control over the facility, effectively paralyzing a strategic border crossing.
HAITIAN PRIME MINISTER REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ELECTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM DURING OFFICIAL VISIT TO CEP
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé conducted an official visit to the headquarters of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to underscore the government’s commitment to placing the constitutional referendum and general elections at the center of the national political transition. The visit aimed to reinforce collaboration between the government and the CEP, which functions as an independent body, ensuring that both entities are engaged in a coordinated and inclusive electoral process. The Prime Minister emphasized that holding free, credible, and inclusive elections is not only a constitutional duty but a democratic imperative for restoring legitimate governance.
Fils-Aimé reiterated the government's adherence to the core principles outlined in the April 3, 2024 Political Accord, including the restoration of public and national security as a prerequisite for democratic participation, the organization of a national conference led by a representative Steering Committee, and the creation of political, technical, and institutional conditions for conducting a constitutional referendum and national elections. The government, in coordination with the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), has reported several key milestones: the organization of departmental forums throughout Haiti and its diaspora, the functional rollout of electoral and referendum structures by the CEP across the country, and the finalization of a referendum decree soon to be adopted by the Council of Ministers.
The government also highlighted progress in logistical and security preparations, including the deployment of electoral advisors, the training of electoral agents, and a strengthened security framework backed by the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) and the Haitian National Police (PNH). Financial provisions for these measures are included in the revised 2024–2025 national budget. Additionally, the CEP has received strategic supplies such as 15,000 digital tablets to support secure and efficient electoral operations. As the process advances, the Steering Committee of the National Conference is preparing to submit a proposed Constitution, developed through broad national consultations, to the appropriate authorities. The government reaffirmed its dedication to republican principles, the restoration of state authority, and the full return to democratic order.
CAP-HAÏTIEN TEACHERS PROTEST POLICE BRUTALITY FOLLOWING ASSAULT ON COLLEAGUE DURING FLAG DAY CEREMONY
In Cap-Haïtien, public outrage erupted after three members of the POLITOUR police unit assaulted chemistry teacher Williamson Saint-Fleur during the Haitian Flag Day mass on May 18, 2025. SaintFleur and several colleagues had peacefully entered the cathedral with placards demanding better pay, but were forcibly removed by officers, with SaintFleur being slapped in the face despite complying with orders. The incident escalated when he struck back, prompting additional officers to join the confrontation, leaving him visibly injured. Although internal disciplinary actions were reportedly taken against the officers, hundreds of teachers and some students took to the streets on May 23, demanding criminal accountability, reparations for Saint-Fleur, and an end to the impunity surrounding police misconduct. Union leaders emphasized that the act was not just a violation of one teacher's rights, but a reflection of systemic abuse against public servants and a broader climate of repression.
The protest also reignited calls for longstanding educational reforms, with teachers voicing frustrations over unpaid salaries, lack of formal appointments, and poor working conditions. Placards carried by demonstrators read, “Instead of giving us appointments, debit cards, and back pay, they beat us,” and “Minister Augustin, getting slapped hurts, we’re asking for justice.” Chants like “They hit us, and it hurts” echoed through the streets as educators, joined by citizens such as moto-taxi drivers who have also experienced police abuse, demanded meaningful action. With memories still fresh of previous abuses, including the 2024 assault of Cap-Haïtien’s city attorney—teachers pledged to continue their mobilization until justice is served, and Saint-Fleur receives formal reparations. The Haitian National Police and central government have yet to issue any public response to the incident or the protests.
SHUTDOWN OF PÉLIGRE HYDROELECTRIC PLANT HIGHLIGHTS MOUNTING SECURITY AND ENERGY CRISIS IN HAITI
In a dramatic escalation of Haiti’s ongoing security and infrastructure crisis, residents from rural areas surrounding Mirebalais shut down the country’s main hydroelectric facility, the Péligre dam, in protest over the government’s failure to retake the city from gang control. The action, taken out of desperation, has plunged Port-au-Prince and several other regions into darkness, deepening fears of a nationwide energy collapse amid looming fuel shortages. Mirebalais, located about 40 miles northeast of the capital, has been under gang occupation since March 31, following a violent raid that freed 500 inmates, destroyed homes, and disrupted essential services. Armed groups, including the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition, now fully control the area, with local authorities failing to regain a foothold. Residents say police have been largely absent or ineffective, with many officers reportedly sheltering in hotels rather than confronting the gangs.
The Péligre facility, which supplies more than 30 percent of Haiti’s electricity, has already been operating at reduced capacity due to technical issues and water shortages. Its closure on May 13 by residents of Ledier and surrounding communities has halted all energy production indefinitely. The move followed a widely publicized gang-organized rara celebration in Mirebalais, held without police intervention, further fueling local anger and frustration. Attorney Robenson Mazarin, representing the Initiative de Mirebalais movement, defended the community-led action, citing the government's inaction as intolerable. Meanwhile, the energy crisis has quickly spread to the capital. Hospitals, homes, and businesses are now operating without electricity, and with fuel deliveries threatened by gang control of the Varreux terminal, the situation is becoming dire. The Association of Petroleum and Energy Professionals has warned of a potential collapse in fuel supply. As government silence continues and state authority crumbles, the shutdown of Péligre stands as a stark symbol of national desperation and the growing vacuum of effective governance.
