Weekly Report October 22 to October 29

Current Status of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF)

The Gang Suppression Force (GSF), officially authorized by the United Nations Security Council in September 2025, was created to replace the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). The new force is mandated to deploy up to 5,500 uniformed personnel, including specialized police and military units, supported by 50 civilian staff. Its primary objectives are to dismantle armed groups, secure key infrastructure, and assist the Haitian National Police (PNH) in reestablishing law and order across Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions.

As of late October 2025, the GSF remains in a partial deployment phase. Fewer than 1,200 personnel have been deployed in country, primarily composed of Kenyan police officers, with smaller contingents from Jamaica, The Bahamas, Belize, and Guatemala. Additional commitments from other participating nations remain pending, with most countries still finalizing logistics and force generation. The United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) continues to coordinate transport, housing, and sustainment operations, but infrastructure constraints and security conditions have slowed the full-scale rollout of the mission.

The United States, while not contributing troops directly, serves as the largest financial and logistical supporter of the GSF. Washington has committed more than 300 million dollars in funding to support airlift operations, training, equipment procurement, and intelligence-sharing capabilities. The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has been providing planning assistance, aerial transport for personnel and supplies, and coordination between United Nations operations and the Haitian National Police. U.S. funding also covers key sustainment costs for deployed units, including fuel, communication systems, and non-lethal equipment.

Despite the formal launch, the mission faces significant challenges. Armed groups still control much of the capital and several key corridors in the Artibonite and Centre departments, making it difficult for GSF units to operate freely. The force’s forward operating base in Delmas 2 remains its primary hub with a level 2 medical facility funded by the U.S. Department of State, but expansion to new operational zones has been delayed by logistics bottlenecks and ongoing attacks near the airport road and Varreux terminal. Humanitarian agencies continue to report worsening displacement and limited access in high-conflict areas.

The GSF’s progress has been described as steady but slow. Coordination between the GSF command, the Haitian National Police, and international partners is ongoing, but tangible territorial recovery remains limited. The next phase of deployment, expected to bring the total force to roughly 2,500 personnel by early 2026, will depend heavily on additional funding, troop rotations, and the establishment of secured corridors for movement and supply. While the mission has achieved initial stabilization in small pockets around Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien, it has not yet shifted the broader security landscape.

Overall, the GSF represents an expanded international commitment to restoring order in Haiti, but its operational impact remains constrained by the slow pace of deployment, inadequate resources, and the sheer scale of gang control. The coming months will determine whether the force can move from a limited security presence to a decisive, coordinated campaign capable of restoring state authority and enabling national elections in 2026.

Erik Prince Briefs Haitian Transitional Council Amid Scrutiny Over Delayed Operations and Civilian Risk

As reported on October 29 by Haitian-Truth.org, members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) met earlier this week with American security contractor Erik Prince at the Villa d’Accueil to address growing concerns surrounding the execution of a national security contract signed with his firm. The meeting focused on the delayed deployment of Prince’s personnel, setbacks in planned aerial missions against armed groups, and the absence of measurable progress in improving the security situation across the country.

Prince reportedly assured CPT members that his operational system is being implemented gradually and attributed the delays to logistical and technical constraints. He announced the imminent arrival of helicopters to reinforce rapid-response operations in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, along with patrol vessels to enhance maritime security on Haiti’s vulnerable coasts. Prince also presented what he described as early successes from surveillance drone operations that he claimed led to the neutralization of several gang members in key neighborhoods of the capital. He pledged that “visible improvements in security will soon be evident” as his team’s deployment reaches full capacity.

Despite these assurances, Prince’s involvement in Haiti has drawn sharp criticism. His company, Vectus Global, reportedly secured a ten-year contract with the Haitian government granting broad authority over national security functions and even limited fiscal responsibilities, raising alarms about the privatization of core state powers. International human rights observers have also expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties, including children, caused by drone strikes linked to Prince’s operations in Port-au-Prince. Analysts warn that introducing foreign private military forces into Haiti’s fragile landscape could erode national sovereignty, deepen institutional weakness, and expose the government to legal and diplomatic risks under international and U.S. law.

The meeting included CPT members Laurent Saint-Cyr, Lesly Voltaire, Louis Gérald Gilles, Emmanuel Vertilaire, Smith Augustin, and Fritz Alphonse Jean, who reportedly left before the discussion concluded. As of now, the CPT has not issued an official statement on the outcome or future of the contract. However, growing public concern suggests that transparency, oversight, and accountability will be crucial as the government considers the next phase of Prince’s controversial operations in Haiti.

Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and OAS Representative Inspect Ongoing Development of PNH Tactical Training Facility in Morne Casse

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, accompanied by the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Cristóbal Dupouy, conducted an official visit on October 23, 2025, to the Haitian National Police (PNH) Tactical Training Center located in Morne Casse, Fort-Liberté. The site, funded by Canada and managed under the auspices of the OAS, represents a cornerstone initiative to modernize and expand the operational readiness of Haiti’s police forces.

During the visit, the delegation reviewed ongoing rehabilitation and construction efforts designed to transform the facility into a fully operational hub for specialized police training. The center is envisioned as a key asset for improving tactical proficiency, discipline, and coordination among elite units responsible for addressing Haiti’s evolving security challenges.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the project was described as a strategic collaboration between the Haitian government, the OAS, and Canada aimed at reinforcing national law enforcement capacity. The initiative will establish modern, durable infrastructure and launch professional development programs aligned with international policing standards, including the training of Haitian instructors to promote long-term self-sufficiency and institutional resilience.

PNH Declares Victory in Desarmes Operation, Killing Key Taliban Gang Member “Varye”

The Haitian National Police (PNH) announced that it neutralized several suspected gang members on October 25, 2025, during a major security operation in Desarmes, Artibonite. According to the official communiqué, the joint action involved several specialized police units deployed as part of a wider campaign to restore order in one of Haiti’s most volatile regions. Among those killed was Aidens Louis, alias “Varye,” an active member of the Taliban gang led by Jeff Larose, known locally as “Jeff Gwo Lwa.”

PNH officials confirmed that “Varye” was killed during an intense exchange of gunfire and that a war-type rifle was seized at the scene. The police described him as a known criminal figure implicated in multiple acts of violence, extortion, and intimidation in the Artibonite region. His death, the communiqué stated, represents a significant step in the ongoing dismantlement of heavily armed groups operating across the department. The police reiterated their determination to pursue all individuals involved in terrorism and organized crime, declaring that the “war against terror has begun” and that the “reconquest of Haitian territory is irreversible.”

The Taliban gang, one of the most aggressive factions active in northern and central Haiti, has long terrorized communities across Desarmes, Liancourt, Petite-Rivière, and Verrettes. The group operates within the broader Taliban–Mawozo alliance, responsible for large-scale attacks, kidnappings, and ambushes targeting both civilians and police. Its influence has eroded state authority in a region once considered Haiti’s agricultural heartland, disrupting trade and transportation routes connecting Gonaïves to Saint-Marc. The Desarmes operation is thus viewed as a pivotal breakthrough—an indication that the PNH’s new offensive strategy, supported by specialized units and reinforced command structures, is beginning to yield tangible results in reclaiming key territory from entrenched criminal control.

Verrettes Resists Gang Offensive in Artibonite

The commune of Verrettes in Haiti’s Artibonite department has become the center of fierce fighting as residents and police units battle coordinated assaults by the Taliban and 400 Mawozo gangs. From October 18 to 22, 2025, heavily armed groups led by Jeff “Gwo Lwa” Larose and Wilson “Lanmò san jou” Joseph launched repeated attacks on Desarmes, Janvier, Morisseau, and other localities surrounding Verrettes, burning homes and kidnapping residents. Despite being outnumbered and under-equipped, the Haitian National Police (PNH), supported by the Motorized Intervention Brigade (BIM), SWAT teams, and the Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG), joined local defense volunteers to repel multiple offensives and prevent the fall of the city.

Local authorities described Verrettes as a “war zone,” with resistance forces engaging attackers on several fronts. The Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Deschapelles narrowly escaped capture thanks to SWAT protection, while community barricades blocked further advances toward the city. Officer Emmanuel Pierre of UTAG confirmed that the police had regained control of key sectors but warned that ammunition and equipment shortages could undermine their defense. “Verrettes is standing,” he said, “but we urgently need reinforcements.”

The fighting has displaced thousands of civilians, with reports of entire neighborhoods destroyed and many residents fleeing to nearby communes. Despite exhaustion and fear, the people of Verrettes have continued to resist, coordinating with the police to patrol streets and secure perimeters. “Verrettes will not become lost territory,” said one local leader, reflecting a growing sense of determination in a community that has turned its resistance into a symbol of defiance against Haiti’s spreading gang insurgency.

Kidnappings Surge Again in Port-au-Prince

After a brief period of relative calm, kidnappings have surged once more across the Haitian capital, reigniting fear among residents and exposing the fragile state of national security. Over the past three months, dozens of abductions have been reported in Port-au-Prince and its suburbs, particularly in Pétion-Ville, Delmas, and along the Carrefour to Downtown corridor. Victims include business owners, drivers, students, and aid workers, as armed gangs reassert dominance over key routes and neighborhoods.

One of the most alarming incidents occurred in early August 2025, when heavily armed men stormed the Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs orphanage in Kenscoff, kidnapping nine people, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child. Although most of the hostages were later released, the attack shocked the public and underscored that no group, foreign or local, is immune. Since then, similar kidnappings for ransom have multiplied, according to the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace (CE-JILAP). Executive Director Jocelyne Colas confirmed that “kidnapping has never truly disappeared; it was simply waiting to restart.”

Security observers and law-enforcement officials link this resurgence to several interconnected factors. The first is the reduced visibility of police patrols in the capital, as the Haitian National Police (PNH) has diverted limited manpower to counter-gang operations in the Artibonite region. Gaps in urban patrol coverage have allowed criminal networks to reoccupy territories in Delmas 75, Clercine, and upper Pétion-Ville. The second factor is the renewed need for gang financing. After losing weapons caches and extortion routes during recent operations in Desarmes and Verrettes, gangs have turned again to kidnapping for ransom (KFR) as a predictable source of revenue.

In the business sector, the impact has been particularly severe. Between July and October 2025, several executives, transport operators, and traders were abducted while commuting to work or leaving offices in industrial zones near Clercine and Carrefour Feuilles. The Port-au-Prince Chamber of Commerce reports that at least fourteen business-related kidnappings occurred in this period, targeting both Haitian entrepreneurs and expatriate staff. Small and medium-sized companies now operate on reduced hours, while large importers have begun shifting logistics to Cap-Haïtien or Jacmel to limit exposure. Ransom demands typically range between fifty thousand and two hundred thousand USD, though smaller firms often pay less to secure a release.

Political instability adds another layer to the crisis. As Haiti nears the February 2026 deadline for the Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate, gangs are using the power vacuum to expand territorial control and exert leverage over politicians and financiers. “Everything happening now is connected to the uncertainty of the transition and the upcoming elections,” said Colas. “When government authority weakens, armed groups act freely.”

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) recorded more than 1,300 homicides and at least 470 kidnappings for ransom between June and August 2025, a dramatic increase compared to the same period the previous year. In Port-au-Prince, fear of abduction now dictates daily life. Many residents avoid night travel, and business owners limit movement to secure compounds or employ private escorts. “We close before sunset,” said one factory manager in Delmas. “Every vehicle behind you feels like a threat.”

The resurgence of kidnappings reflects more than a spike in crime; it illustrates the return of hostage-taking as a tool of power and profit in Haiti’s fractured landscape. Unless the state restores security, reinforces police capacity, and stabilizes the political transition, the capital risks sliding back into the paralysis and terror that once defined Haiti’s worst kidnapping crisis.

France Strengthens Haiti’s Police Capabilities Through Advanced RAID Training Program

As part of the ongoing security cooperation between Haiti and France, forty-eight Haitian police officers, including eight instructors, have completed an intensive training course led by experts from France’s elite RAID tactical unit. The session, which took place from October 12 to 23, 2025, was organized under the supervision of the French Embassy in Port-au-Prince and supported by a French technical adviser.

The participants were drawn from several specialized branches of the Haitian National Police (PNH), including the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), the SWAT team, the Temporary Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG), the Épines tactical unit, the Anti-Narcotics Brigade (BLTS), and the Border Police (POLIFRONT). The primary goal of the program was to strengthen operational effectiveness in combating organized crime and heavily armed gangs that continue to destabilize large parts of the country.

Focused on command and intervention tactics, the training emphasized field coordination, leadership under pressure, and advanced engagement methods used in high-risk environments. French authorities described the initiative as a key step in reinforcing Haiti’s security sector and supporting national stabilization efforts. The Embassy highlighted that the program builds on long-standing Franco-Haitian cooperation and responds to urgent needs identified within the PNH, particularly following the deaths of over thirty police officers and multiple attacks on police facilities during the past year.

The RAID mission, known for its expertise in counterterrorism and high-risk intervention, is expected to continue mentoring Haitian units as part of a broader international effort to restore security and institutional resilience in Haiti.

Port Workers’ Union Urges Prime Minister to Establish Secure Corridor Amid Escalating Gang Threats

The Union of Employees of the National Port Authority (SEAPN) has issued an open letter to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, warning of the life-threatening conditions faced daily by port workers in Port-au-Prince. Dated October 23, 2025, the letter denounces the extreme danger along the short 1.5-kilometer route to the port’s main facilities and calls for the urgent creation of a secure corridor to protect staff from armed attacks.

According to the union, employees are forced to commute in an overcrowded armored truck that has become a “moving target” for heavily armed gangs operating in the vicinity. What should be a brief journey has turned into a high-risk mission, marked by recurring ambushes and exchanges of gunfire. SEAPN reports that many workers are suffering from stress and psychological trauma after months of exposure to constant violence. “The situation is critical and can no longer continue,” the letter warns, emphasizing that staff are risking their lives simply to reach their workplace.

The union underscored that the National Port Authority is a vital component of Haiti’s economy, as over 85 percent of imported goods pass through its facilities. Yet, the very workers ensuring the port’s operation are left vulnerable and unsupported. SEAPN is calling on the government to act immediately by establishing a protected humanitarian and logistical corridor under police and military supervision to ensure safe access to the port.

“Protecting the employees of the APN means protecting the economic heart of the country,” the letter concludes, urging the Prime Minister to intervene before the situation leads to further tragedy or disruption of critical national commerce.

PNH Launches Major Operation in Downtown Port-au-Prince as Residents Await Results

The Communications Bureau of the Haitian National Police (PNH) announced that a large-scale police operation was carried out on Friday, October 24, 2025, in the lower downtown area of Port-au-Prince. According to the official statement, several specialized police units were deployed in Pacot, Avenue Christophe, and the Salomon Market district — areas that have remained hotspots for gang activity since the “Viv Ansanm” coalition’s offensive in July 2024.

Authorities indicated that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to reestablish state control over the city center and restore freedom of movement for residents who have long been trapped by violence and insecurity. The objective, the PNH emphasized, is to reclaim key urban zones that have been under gang domination for over a year and to facilitate the safe return of displaced families.

This latest operation follows a series of armed attacks earlier in the week by members of the “Viv Ansanm” alliance in Pacot and Turgeau. Despite the heavy police presence, details about the outcome remain scarce. No official figures have yet been released regarding arrests or neutralized gang members, leaving many citizens wondering whether the mission achieved its intended goals. For now, the population of lower Port-au-Prince waits anxiously, hoping this renewed security push will finally bring lasting stability to a city center that has become a symbol of Haiti’s struggle against urban violence.

Leadership Changes Announced Within the Haitian National Police

The Haitian National Police (PNH) has made new leadership appointments as part of a broader institutional restructuring aimed at improving efficiency and operational capacity. During an official ceremony held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at PNH headquarters in Tabarre, Inspector General Jean Gardy Muscadin was appointed Director of Strategic Planning, a key position responsible for coordinating and overseeing the force’s long-term internal development and modernization initiatives. Muscadin, a seasoned officer who has held multiple leadership roles within the institution, will now play a central role in shaping future police reforms and strategic priorities.

Inspector General Frantz Lerebours was also reassigned to a new senior position, the details of which have not yet been made public. In a statement released Friday, the PNH explained that these changes are part of an ongoing internal reorganization intended to strengthen the police’s response to Haiti’s growing security challenges. The leadership adjustments reflect the institution’s stated commitment to improving its structure, enhancing performance, and restoring public confidence as the country faces a surge in armed violence and instability nationwide.

Police Disperse Protest Near Government Residence in Delmas 60

Haitian National Police (PNH) officers dispersed a demonstration Thursday morning in the Delmas 60 area of Port-au-Prince, near the Villa d’Accueil, a residence used by senior government officials. Witnesses reported that police deployed tear gas to restore order and prevent protesters from approaching the secured perimeter. The incident caused heavy traffic disruptions and heightened tension throughout the neighborhood.

Although the exact reason for the protest remains unclear, it occurred amid a broader wave of social and political unrest, including a transport strike in Carrefour and demonstrations by the National Association of Haitian Public Administration Workers (ANAGH), which has accused the government of widespread administrative abuses. As of now, authorities have issued no official statement regarding the causes of the protest or the aftermath of the police intervention.

Displaced Residents of Delmas, Nazon, and Solino Remain Unable to Return Home

Several months after Jimmy Chérizier, known as “Barbecue,” leader of the Viv Ansanm coalition, called on displaced residents from Delmas 30, Nazon, Solino, and Christ-Roi to return to their homes, the situation on the ground remains unchanged. Despite the announcement made in July 2025 and the declaration of a truce with rival factions, no large-scale return has been recorded, and the affected neighborhoods continue to show signs of destruction and instability.

Field assessments and local reports indicate that these areas remain under the partial control of armed groups. Buildings and infrastructure have sustained significant damage, and public services are largely nonfunctional. Streets in Delmas 30, Nazon, and Solino show evidence of ongoing insecurity, with intermittent gunfire and the absence of a sustained police presence. Reports from humanitarian organizations and international media confirm that the neighborhoods remain high-risk zones, preventing the safe resettlement of residents.

Authorities have not confirmed any official agreement or negotiation with the Viv Ansanm coalition. Likewise, no formal plan for reconstruction or civilian return has been announced. The displaced populations, now concentrated in temporary shelters in Tabarre, Clercine, and Pétion-Ville, continue to rely on humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian actors describe access to these areas as severely limited due to continued gang activity and the lack of secure corridors for aid delivery.

The government has yet to implement measures ensuring the safe reintegration of displaced residents or the restoration of public order in these sectors. As of October 2025, Delmas 30, Nazon, and Solino remain largely uninhabited, reflecting the persistence of armed control and the ongoing difficulty of reestablishing state authority in central Port-au-Prince.

“Team Ascenseur” Emerges as the Female Face of Urban Gang Violence

The Haitian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LHDDH) has revealed in a new investigative report the existence of an all-female gang operating in Grand-Ravine, in the Martissant district of southern Port-au-Prince. The group, known as Team Ascenseur, is reportedly affiliated with the Viv Ansanm coalition and operates under the command of gang leader “Kaporal Ti Lapli.” The organization expressed concern over what it describes as the growing “feminization” of criminal structures in Haiti’s capital.

According to the report, young women between the ages of 17 and 30 are increasingly being recruited by armed groups. Unlike in the past, when their roles were limited to logistics or intelligence, many are now active combatants taking part in direct assaults and gunfights. The LHDDH cites one notable case of a young woman who admitted to participating in the killing of police officers during a recorded incident shared in the “Allô Lapolis” program.

Investigators estimate that approximately twenty women make up Team Ascenseur. Members are assigned to protect Ti Lapli’s residence, with some occupying upper-floor positions to monitor the perimeter and respond to police incursions. The name Ascenseur (“Elevator”) reportedly refers to a spiritual entity that Ti Lapli is said to have invoked to “guard” his stronghold.

Recruitment of new members is often carried out by women already in the group, who frequent nightclubs and public gathering places to approach and lure young girls, many of them minors. Once taken to gang-controlled bases, these recruits are coerced, intimidated, or held captive until they are convinced, they cannot escape without facing severe punishment or death.

The LHDDH has called on civil society organizations to intensify prevention and reintegration programs for at-risk girls in urban areas, emphasizing that community-based support is essential to counter gang recruitment. The group also urged stronger assistance for families living in high-risk zones to help break the cycle of exploitation and reduce the influence of armed organizations over vulnerable communities.

UN Records Over 600 Sexual Violence Cases in Four Months as Gangs Use Rape to Control Communities

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) has reported a sharp increase in sexual violence, documenting 635 cases between May and August 2025. According to the UN report, most victims were women and girls, and 85 percent of the assaults were gang rapes. The attacks were mainly attributed to gangs operating in Grand Ravine, Village-de-Dieu, and the Argentins, three of the most violent criminal networks in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The report highlights the near collapse of Haiti’s justice system and the impunity that prevails in gang-controlled areas, where sexual violence has become a deliberate weapon used to spread fear and exert control over the population. BINUH recorded 582 separate incidents of sexual assault during the same period, along with 340 earlier cases that were only later reported to UN agencies. The organization warned that the real number of victims is likely higher due to underreporting and the absence of effective law enforcement or victim protection mechanisms.

The Haitian women’s group Solidarité Fanm Ayisyèn (SOFA) also documented 109 cases of sexual violence within displacement camps during the same months, including 84 instances of gang rape. Executive Director Marie Frantz Joachim emphasized the urgent need for a stronger governmental response and comprehensive survivor support. She explained that without a national strategy, these crimes will continue unchecked.

SOFA’s Secretary General, Berthanie Bélome, noted that gender-based violence has risen steadily in recent years, with many victims lacking access to medical, psychological, or legal assistance. Both BINUH and SOFA called on Haitian authorities and international partners to strengthen prevention efforts, improve care for survivors, and pursue accountability through judicial reform. The findings underscore the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of control in Haiti’s ongoing gang conflict, affecting hundreds of women and girls every month in areas where state authority has effectively disappeared.

2026 Elections: Progress, Obstacles, and an Uncertain Outlook

As Haiti nears the February 7, 2026, transition deadline, the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), led by Laurent Saint-Cyr, faces intense domestic and international pressure to organize long-delayed elections. Initially, the council pledged to hold a first round in November 2025 and a runoff in early January 2026 to restore constitutional order by February. That schedule has now collapsed as widespread gang control, displacement, and logistical paralysis have made the organization of a nationwide vote nearly impossible. Reports from the United Nations and local institutions indicate that 80 to 85 percent of the Ouest Department, including Port-au-Prince, remains under the influence of armed groups, while similar conditions persist in Artibonite and Centre—three regions that together account for more than half of Haiti’s electorate.

Despite these challenges, the CPT has taken several technical steps toward election preparation. It reestablished the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), reopened coordination with UN technical teams in Port-au-Prince, and began work on voter identification and registration through the National Identification Office (ONI). UN briefings noted that more than 1,300 voting centers have been mapped for approximately 6.2 million registered voters, with an estimated budget of 137 million U.S. dollars. The CPT also included elections and public security as budget priorities for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. However, these administrative actions have been overshadowed by the continued absence of territorial control and reliable funding mechanisms.

The United States, the United Nations, and CARICOM have all increased pressure on Haitian authorities to meet their mandate, emphasizing that the transition cannot extend indefinitely. In September 2025, the UN Security Council approved the deployment of a 5,500-member Gang Suppression Force (GSF), sponsored by the U.S. and Panama, to help restore order and enable elections. Yet, according to the Haitian Electoral Council and the UN, security conditions have not improved sufficiently to allow voting operations. The United States has also warned that any further postponement risks eroding both domestic legitimacy and international confidence in the CPT’s governance.

Given the current environment, the likelihood of holding credible national elections by February 2026 remains extremely low. While the CPT has made limited progress in administrative and coordination efforts, these steps have not translated into practical conditions for a secure or inclusive vote. With less than 100 days remaining and no confirmed election date, Haiti’s transition risks extending well beyond its deadline, perpetuating the institutional vacuum that has persisted since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Without rapid security stabilization and broad political consensus, a peaceful transfer of power through elections in February appears improbable.

BINUH Chief Warns UN Security Council as Violence Deepens and Elections Near

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), addressed the UN Security Council for the first time on October 22, 2025, describing a country in severe crisis. He reported that armed gangs continue to dominate Port-au-Prince and are expanding into new regions such as Artibonite, the Centre, and the Northwest. Between July and September, multiple attacks killed more than 80 civilians and destroyed police stations, while over 1.4 million people have been displaced nationwide. Ruiz Massieu warned that sexual violence, extortion, and forced child recruitment have become widespread tools of control, and that gang activity has crippled access to food, health care, and education across much of the country.

He welcomed the UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2793, which authorizes the creation of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH). Ruiz Massieu said these measures provide a necessary framework to strengthen the Haitian National Police and begin restoring security. He also urged member states to accelerate troop and funding commitments to make the GSF operational, while calling for stronger coordination among international partners to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation. Despite these efforts, he noted that the country’s internal displacement, institutional breakdown, and lack of economic opportunity continue to deepen the crisis.

Turning to the political transition, Ruiz Massieu reminded the Council that Haiti faces a February 7, 2026, deadline to transfer power to an elected government, yet preparations remain slow. He recognized the recent government decision to prioritize elections over constitutional reform as a constructive shift but warned that the window for credible elections is rapidly closing. BINUH, he said, continues to support the Provisional Electoral Council through technical and logistical assistance while promoting dialogue among political actors to avoid a post-transition vacuum. Ruiz Massieu concluded that security, political dialogue, and justice must advance together, urging Haitian leaders and international partners to translate renewed commitments into concrete progress and “turn the tide of violence” before the transition deadline.

Carrefour’s Local Government Admits to Gang Dominance Amid Absence of State Authority

For more than a year, the commune of Carrefour has been under the control of gang leader Christ-Roi Chéry, known as “Krisla.” Once a bustling gateway to southern Haiti, the area now functions under an informal system of criminal governance. In a recent interview, the town’s general director, Zavier Junior Dégand, openly acknowledged that public institutions, businesses, and schools continue to operate under the watch of armed groups, a fragile calm that he described as preferable to confrontation.

Dégand noted that daily life in Carrefour proceeds with little visible resistance, even as gang members patrol the streets and enforce their own rules. He cited the uninterrupted operation of banks, hospitals, markets, and schools as evidence that the commune has adapted to the new power structure. However, he also confirmed that since the July 2024 attack and destruction of the Carrefour police station, no formal police presence has been reestablished, leaving residents dependent on the same armed actors who claim to provide “security.”

According to Dégand, these groups have entrenched themselves by assuming multiple roles such as local judges, police officers, and self-declared public servants, granting them absolute authority over the population. The commune is currently administered solely by Dégand following the resignation of interim mayor and National Federation of Haitian Mayors president, Jude Édouard Pierre, who fled after receiving repeated threats. Despite multiple appeals to the transitional government, no concrete steps have been taken to restore state authority in Carrefour, effectively leaving the community to function under the shadow of gang rule.