Weekly Report November 18 to November 25, 2025

U.S. Visa Sanctions on CPT Member Fritz Alphonse Jean

The United States has imposed visa sanctions on Transitional Presidential Council member Fritz Alphonse Jean based on accusations of political interference and support to criminal organizations. Although Washington has not publicly disclosed the evidence behind the decision, the action reflects growing international concern that elements within the transitional government may be enabling or tolerating gang influence at a moment when Haiti is attempting to stabilize its political landscape. The measure is likely to intensify internal divisions within the Council and further complicate an already fragile transition process.

Jean, an economist and former central bank governor, previously held the rotating presidency of the Council. Haiti remains under severe pressure from armed groups that control most of the capital and major routes in provincial regions. The Council is responsible for guiding the transition through February 2026 and for preparing national elections next year. In recent weeks, disputes over whether to replace the prime minister have fractured the Council, and Jean has publicly implied that the sanctions arrived shortly after discussions about a leadership change began. He alleges that diplomats warned Council members that any attempt to remove the prime minister would trigger sanctions, suggesting that the United States views the internal political struggle as a direct threat to transition planning.

The accusations against Jean fall into two broad categories. The first concerns alleged support to criminal organizations, which in Haiti often includes political protection of gang-aligned actors, interference in law enforcement operations or tolerance for illicit trafficking networks. The second relates to obstructing security efforts by the Haitian government and the international mission tasked with supporting the police. While the United States has not specified which actions apply to this case, the decision to revoke all visas indicates that Washington considers the conduct significant enough to undermine regional security interests.

The political implications are immediate. Jean’s position within the Council has been weakened, and the move shifts the balance of influence among members already divided into competing blocs. The action sends a clear message that the United States will act decisively if it perceives Haitian political actors as destabilizing or obstructing the transition. At the same time, the decision risks increasing accusations of foreign interference, deepening mistrust among Council members and making coordination more difficult at the moment when the security environment continues to deteriorate.

Looking forward, Haiti faces a high risk of continued political paralysis. The prospects for organizing credible elections remain low given the pervasive influence of armed groups, the fractured nature of the transitional government and the evident lack of consensus among key actors. If Council members react to the sanctions by hardening their positions rather than seeking compromise, further instability is likely. Additional sanctions on other political figures cannot be ruled out if the United States determines that internal maneuvers threaten security operations or the broader transition framework.

Sunrise Airways Suspends All Flights at Port-au-Prince Following Aircraft Strike

Sunrise Airways announced on 23 November 2025 the immediate suspension of all flights to and from Port-au-Prince, citing strictly security-related concerns. In its official statement issued the same day, the airline explained that the decision aims to protect passengers, crews, and operational staff in light of worsening violence around the Guy Malary domestic terminal. The company stated that operations will only resume once security conditions are fully restored and confirmed that it is working closely with the relevant authorities to monitor the situation.

Haiti’s National Office of Civil Aviation later reported that one Sunrise aircraft showed an impact in the form of a puncture hole on its fuselage, prompting an ongoing technical and security investigation. Photographs circulating on social media appeared to show two such punctures, reportedly inflicted when a Sunrise flight arriving from Les Cayes came under fire during its landing approach. While the airline has not confirmed the images, civil aviation officials stated that a detailed report will be released as soon as the technical findings are complete.

The suspension comes at a critical moment for national air transport. Toussaint Louverture International Airport has remained closed to commercial traffic since November 2024 after multiple aircraft were targeted by gunfire during landing and takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration has extended the prohibition on United States carriers operating in Port-au-Prince until 7 March 2026. Sunrise Airways was the only carrier still providing regular domestic and regional flights, making this interruption a significant setback for mobility, commerce, and humanitarian logistics across the country.

Sunrise confirmed that all affected passengers will be contacted directly to arrange postponements, travel credits, or refunds in accordance with company policy. The airline thanked travelers for their patience and reiterated that safety remains its highest priority. The suspension follows several days of intensified gang activity in neighborhoods surrounding the Guy Malary terminal, where armed elements linked to the Viv Ansanm coalition have increased attacks in response to recent police operations. The escalation underscores the severe risks currently facing both aviation operations and essential movement in and out of the Haitian capital.

Haiti’s Main Port Enters Maximum Alert After Armed Attacks, Then Gradually Regains Stability

The National Port Authority (APN) placed Haiti’s main port on maximum alert following a series of armed attacks between November 17 and 21, 2025, triggering security concerns across the maritime sector. However, by Monday, November 24, operations had resumed under significantly calmer conditions, according to APN Director General Jean Evens Charles.

On Friday, November 21, automatic gunfire erupted in the vicinity of the Port-au-Prince port area for more than an hour, sending customs officers and port workers fleeing for safety. The incident came after repeated attacks throughout the week targeting armored vehicles that transport APN personnel.

According to Director General Jean Evens Charles, the most serious incident occurred when armed groups used a truck to ram a section of the perimeter wall at La Saline. Security forces repelled the attack, killing the truck’s driver identified as a member of a local armed group.

Soldiers from the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) have been deployed to reinforce port security.

“The APN is under maximum alert because of gunfire recorded near the port and because of an attempted breach that was successfully repelled,” Charles said. “Security defended the integrity of the facilities. However, access to the port has remained extremely risky, forcing us to mobilize only essential personnel.”

Despite the sustained attacks, operations at the nearby Varreux oil terminal, Haiti’s main fuel supply point were not directly impacted, according to officials familiar with the facility’s activities.

The security crisis unfolded just weeks after the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) formally notified Haitian authorities that the country was no longer meeting the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. In a letter, the USCG warned that Haiti lacked the ability to:

• Prevent unauthorized access to restricted port areas

• Stop weapons, incendiary devices, or explosives from entering port facilities

• Adequately monitor arrivals and departures of international vessels

  
  

These conditions, the USCG emphasized, pose significant risks to maritime security and could affect international trade and vessel entry into U.S. ports.

The Coast Guard gave Haiti 90 days to address the deficiencies. If no progress is made, vessels calling at Haitian ports may be required to adopt elevated security measures equivalent to ISPS Security Level 2 and could face denial of entry into U.S. ports if they fail to comply.

“We understand the difficulties Haiti is facing and are prepared to discuss solutions,” the USCG stated, adding that a Coast Guard delegation may conduct an on-site assessment when corrective measures are reported.

After a week marked by violence, the situation improved on Monday, November 24. According to APN Director General Charles, the port zone returned to normal activity, with no gunfire and no security disruptions reported.

“Freight trucks were able to leave the port. We worked without difficulties,” Charles confirmed.

At the Varreux oil terminal, fuel deliveries also resumed without incident. According to terminal sources, 74 tanker trucks were loaded on November 24, including:

• 53,850 gallons of diesel

• 305,900 gallons of gasoline

  
  

Of these, 71 tanker trucks successfully departed the terminal for distribution across the metropolitan area.

The resumption of both cargo movement and fuel distribution marks a critical step toward stabilizing commercial and humanitarian supply chains severely disrupted by the previous week’s violence.

Despite Monday’s improvements, authorities remain cautious. All security officers from port facilities across the Bay of Port-au-Prince have been mobilized, and high-level government officials have been briefed on the situation. The APN continues to operate under reinforced protocols as the threat of renewed attacks persists.

Director General Charles emphasized that restoring and maintaining secure access to the port remains an urgent national priority: “We are aware of the challenges and are working collectively to confront the threats.”

As the 90-day USCG compliance deadline approaches, Haitian officials face mounting pressure to restore full control over the country’s primary maritime infrastructure.

Haiti Organization Warns of Rising Digital Violence Targeting Women and Girls

The human rights group Collectif Défenseurs Plus has issued a warning regarding the sharp increase in digital violence affecting women and girls across Haiti. In a statement released on November 24, the organization noted that online harassment, threats, extortion, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate or degrading content have become increasingly common amid the country’s deteriorating security environment. This growing trend, the group emphasized, represents a serious and emerging form of abuse facilitated by widespread digital communication tools.

According to the organization, the broader insecurity and displacement affecting communities nationwide have heightened the vulnerability of women and girls. Many now find themselves in unstable living conditions where they face elevated risks of both online and offline exploitation. Citing data from multiple sources, Défenseurs Plus highlighted that 58 percent of recorded digital violence cases target women; that eight out of ten images circulating on platforms such as TikTok contain content that demeans women; and that fewer than 40 percent of countries worldwide have legal protections specifically addressing online harassment of women. In Haiti, victims often refrain from filing complaints due to significant gaps in the justice system, which contributes to a climate of impunity.

Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the organization urged the Haitian government, institutions, and civil society to adopt coordinated, immediate, and tailored measures to address digital violence. Défenseurs Plus reiterated its commitment to promoting safe environments, both online and in daily life and called for strengthened legal frameworks and institutional capacity to ensure the effective protection of women and girls.

Debate Emerges in Haiti Over Pierre Espérance’s Stance on Security and Human Rights

Amid escalating insecurity and widespread gang violence, recent comments by Pierre Espérance, Executive Director of the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), have prompted mixed reactions. While he has criticized the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) for its lack of decisive action, Espérance has also voiced concerns about certain interventions by Miragoâne Government Commissioner Jean Ernest Muscadin, whose aggressive operations against armed groups in the Grand Sud have earned him significant public support. During a recent mobilization in Les Cayes, several residents praised Muscadin, asserting that his efforts are essential to protecting the region from gang expansion, despite a recent BINUH report questioning aspects of local law-enforcement tactics.

Espérance’s remarks underscored the importance of ensuring that security operations respect human rights and avoid endangering civilians. His position has been interpreted by some as a critique of Commissioner Muscadin, while others view it as a reaffirmation of RNDDH’s mandate to uphold human rights standards. The exchange has fueled a broader national debate on how Haiti can balance urgent security needs with the protection of civil liberties at a time when gang violence continues to spread.

Kenscoff Mayor Urges Security Forces to Consolidate Recently Reclaimed Areas

The mayor of Kenscoff, Massillon Jean, is urging Haitian security forces to strengthen their presence in neighborhoods recently retaken from armed groups during operations conducted in the commune. He emphasized that the last major intervention by the Haitian National Police (HNP) dates back to August 24, 2025, and that since then authorities have relied primarily on deterrent patrols in areas abandoned by residents due to gang violence.

According to Mayor Jean, the situation remains fragile, and there is no reason yet to celebrate. He noted that gangs operating in the mountainous zones above Kenscoff have not been fully neutralized. His warning follows joint security operations carried out on November 22 and 23, during which police and partner units freed two hostages, killed several armed individuals, and regained control of key strategic points in the commune.

Although the town center has begun to return to a climate of relative calm, the mayor cautioned that gang members who escaped the recent interventions may attempt to re-enter and destabilize the reclaimed areas. He called on residents, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods, to remain extremely vigilant and avoid locations where armed individuals may still be hiding or attempting to regroup.

Montrouis: Armed Group Known as “Talibans” Executes Local Pastor and Orphanage Director

Armed criminals known locally as the “Talibans,” originating from the Canaan area north of Port-au-Prince, continue to terrorize the population of Montrouis. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, shortly before 6 p.m., the group forcibly entered the home and orphanage of Reverend Reynold Dort after receiving no answer at the gate. According to interim mayor Blaise Elysée, the assailants seized the pastor in front of his wife, children, and the orphans under his care before executing him and setting his body on fire. The killing has devastated the community, which regarded Reverend Dort as a respected leader and moral reference.

Montrouis has been under the control of the “Talibans” for more than six weeks, prompting widespread displacement of residents and the closure of schools. The mayor, who has also fled the area for his own safety, is urging police authorities to launch robust operations to retake the commune and restore security to the population.

Arcahaie: Mayor Confirms Successful Police Operation to Reclaim Bercy

Mayor of Arcahaie, Jean Yvon Nestor, confirmed on Friday, November 21, 2025, that a coordinated operation by the Haitian National Police (PNH), supported by local brigadiers, successfully pushed back armed individuals and restored control over the Bercy area, which had fallen to a criminal group the previous day. Speaking on a Port-au-Prince radio station, the mayor explained that security forces “drove the attackers away from the town center” and re-established police presence in key strategic zones of the commune. Initial assessments indicate that several homes were set on fire and that both brigadiers and civilians sustained injuries during the confrontation.

Despite the progress made, Mayor Nestor stressed the need for additional security measures, noting that the environment remains volatile. He urged armed groups to abandon their efforts to seize the area, emphasizing that “Arcahaie will not become a sanctuary for criminals.” The commune has endured nearly two years of repeated attacks attributed to the Viv Ansanm coalition and continues to resist attempts by these armed groups to expand their influence.

Two Hostages Freed in Major Police Operation in Kenscoff

Haitian security forces successfully freed two kidnapping victims during a coordinated operation launched early on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in the commune of Kenscoff. According to police officials, the two hostages were abducted on November 1 and were being held by armed groups operating in strategic zones of the area. The rescue occurred as part of a broader effort to dismantle criminal networks that have entrenched themselves in the mountain corridors connecting Kenscoff to Pétion-Ville.

The operation involved several specialized units of the Haitian National Police (PNH), and targeted gang-controlled sectors including Viar, Godet and Belot. Heavy gunfire was reported at the outset of the intervention, underscoring the level of resistance encountered. The successful recovery of the two hostages represents a rare positive outcome amid a broader surge in kidnappings across the country, where criminal groups continue to use abductions as a primary source of revenue and coercion.

Port-au-Prince: Heavy Clashes Erupt Between Armed Groups in Village-de-Dieu and Grand-Ravine

Intense gun battles broke out on the afternoon of Saturday, November 22, between armed groups operating in Village-de-Dieu and Grand-Ravine, two of the most dangerous areas within the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince. The sustained bursts of gunfire, audible as far as the city center, triggered widespread panic across several neighborhoods of the capital.

According to initial reports, multiple heavily armed individuals were killed during the hours-long confrontation, with sporadic gunfire continuing into the early evening. The escalation in violence forced many residents to flee the affected zones, some on foot and others carrying limited belongings in improvised vehicles as they sought safer areas.

This latest episode underscores the ongoing deterioration of security conditions in Port-au-Prince, where state institutions continue to struggle against increasingly organized and heavily armed criminal groups. Although the “Viv Ansanm” coalition had maintained a fragile internal truce by focusing primarily on confronting law-enforcement, this balance has now shifted. Local and international organizations estimate that the coalition currently exerts influence over more than 85 percent of the capital’s territory.

Texas Pair Indicted for Plot to Attack La Gonâve and Enslave Women and Children

Two young men from Texas have been indicted on federal charges for allegedly planning a violent assault on La Gonâve, a large island off the coast of Haiti. According to prosecutors, Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, conspired between August 2024 and July 2025 to carry out a mass killing of the island’s male population and enslave its women and children. The indictment, unsealed on November 20, details their efforts to purchase a sailboat, gather weapons and ammunition, study Haitian Creole, and recruit accomplices including homeless men from Washington, D.C. Prosecutors also say Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Air Force specifically to gain military skills for the operation.

Federal investigators report that the pair’s plans included the production of child pornography, a charge that carries a mandatory sentence of 15 to 30 years. The conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap abroad is punishable by up to life in prison. The case is being led by the FBI, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Celina Police Department. Authorities characterize the plot as an attempted mass-atrocity operation targeting an isolated Haitian community, reflecting longstanding vulnerabilities that have made Haitian women and children frequent targets of explotation.

Although the allegations are extreme, human-rights organizations note that Haiti has repeatedly been exploited by foreign nationals posing as humanitarian actors. Past cases involving American missionaries and orphanage operators, some convicted, others accused in civil court underscore the ongoing risks posed to children in unregulated institutions. With more than 30,000 children living in largely unmonitored orphanages, international experts warn that Haiti remains dangerously exposed to trafficking, abuse, and predatory schemes, reinforcing the need for stronger oversight, prevention, and survivor-centered protection measures.

Commander Otunge: “Haiti Has Entered the End of the Gang Era”

Commander Godfrey Otunge, head of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), issued a firm statement declaring that Haiti’s security landscape has undergone a decisive transformation since the transition from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) to the GSF. He emphasized that this evolution is not a symbolic rebranding but a full restructuring of the country’s security apparatus, unifying personnel, capabilities, and intelligence under a single mandate: the systematic dismantling of armed groups responsible for years of instability.

According to Commander Otunge, the GSF is working in tight coordination with the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) to implement a comprehensive and sustained security strategy. Joint units are conducting precise, intelligence-driven operations and continuous dominance patrols across critical sectors. He underscored that these actions are already sending a clear signal that gangs no longer operate with impunity. All operational resources, land, sea, and air have been mobilized to restore peace, protect communities, and guarantee Haitians’ fundamental rights.

Otunge stated that recent threats and public displays by gang leaders are symptoms of weakening structures, not renewed strength. Security forces, he said, are taking territory, disrupting command networks, seizing weapons, and neutralizing armed elements across all operational zones. No safe haven remains for criminal groups. He reaffirmed that the GSF, alongside the PNH and FAd’H, will continue sustained operations until every armed organization is dismantled and rendered ineffective.

He concluded with a message to the Haitian population: a new phase of national recovery is underway. He urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant, and to continue supporting security forces as they move to close one of the darkest periods in Haiti’s recent history. Order, stability, and peace, he said, will be restored without compromise.