Weekly Report September 23 to September 30

Wave of Protests Sweeps Across Haiti Ahead of School Reopening

Haiti saw a series of demonstrations erupt across multiple regions as frustrations over insecurity, kidnappings, and recent killings continue to fuel public anger.

In the northern town of Limbé, residents held a peaceful march to demand the release of a young entrepreneur who has been held by kidnappers for nearly a month. In Fort Liberté, in the northeast, citizens staged a sit in outside the prosecutor’s office, calling for justice following the assassination of a lawyer last week in Ouanaminthe.

Other protests turned more confrontational. In Belladère, in the Central Department, demonstrators hurled stones during a violent rally demanding greater security. In Gonaïves, Artibonite, residents once again took to the streets demanding justice for Wilfort Ferdinand, also known as Ti Will, who was killed by police several weeks ago. Roadblocks were also reported in Roseaux, Grand’Anse, and in Petit Goâve, in the West, as local populations voiced grievances against worsening conditions.

Calls for larger demonstrations are already being circulated for Wednesday, October 1, the official reopening of schools in Haiti. Transport workers from the Grand South have announced plans to march toward Léogâne and Gressier to press for the reopening of National Road 2. Meanwhile, with the shifting stance of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, whose spokesperson has repeatedly signaled new intentions, residents of Port au Prince’s poorest neighborhoods may soon join the wave of mobilization, raising fears of wider unrest in the capital.

The Arrest of Dimitri Vorbe: Strategic Implications for Haiti and U.S. Policy

On September 23, 2025, U.S. agents from Homeland Security Investigations arrested Haitian businessman Dimitri Vorbe at his home in Miami. He was taken into the custody of ICE pending deportation proceedings under an order invoking Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, a statute that allows deportation of a non-citizen when the Secretary of State determines their presence in the U.S. would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences. According to U.S. statements, Vorbe is accused of supporting violent gangs in Haiti, contributing to instability and undermining U.S. foreign policy interests in the region.

Vorbe, a significant figure within Haiti’s business class, is closely associated with the energy sector through his family’s former stake in SOGENER, which once dominated power generation in the country. Over time, his name has surfaced in critiques of corruption, patronage networks, and the intertwining of financial interests and political influence. Analysts have long contended that the viability of Haitian gangs depends not only on weapons and foot soldiers, but also on funding streams, political cover, and logistical support, channels that often trace back to elite actors with business or political clout.

By prosecuting this case through immigration law rather than criminal courts, the U.S. is signaling a shift in its tactics. This move indicates that Washington is prepared to bypass some of the evidentiary and procedural barriers of criminal prosecution by using foreign-policy tools to address transnational threats. The decision to arrest Vorbe in U.S. territory suggests that elite figures operating from abroad are no longer insulated from accountability.

The importance of this arrest is magnified by timing. The UN Security Council is set to vote on September 30, 2025, on a resolution to transform the existing Kenyan-led mission in Haiti into a more robust Gang Suppression Force. As Washington pushes for stronger international intervention in Haiti, the Vorbe arrest complements the diplomatic track, it shows that the U.S. is not only advocating for external military engagement but also taking enforcement actions against actors, it views as contributing to the crisis.

This case also underlines how U.S. officials are framing Haiti’s insecurity as a matter of both foreign policy and U.S. homeland security. Using deportation as a mechanism, the U.S. can neutralize individuals whose actions abroad pose strategic risks, without requiring the same burden of proof necessary for criminal prosecutions. That said, the absence of formal criminal charges raises questions about transparency, due process, and whether similar actions will follow for other implicated elites.

If Vorbe is returned to Haiti, several outcomes are likely. He could face investigation or prosecution by Haitian judicial authorities, though the capacity of the justice system to handle such a high-profile case remains weak and subject to political pressure. There is a risk he may leverage his wealth and influence to secure protection from factions within the political and business establishment, reducing the likelihood of meaningful accountability. His presence on Haitian soil could also provoke tensions with gangs he has allegedly supported, either because of ruptured financial ties or shifting loyalties, raising concerns about his personal security. On the other hand, his return could be symbolically powerful if transitional authorities move decisively to pursue charges, demonstrating that impunity for elites is no longer tolerated. International partners might also use his deportation as leverage to press Haiti into taking stronger legal action against individuals accused of enabling organized crime.

For Haitian governance and stability, the implications are profound. If Vorbe is allowed to move freely or re-establish his networks, it could reinforce cynicism about elite impunity and undermine international efforts to stabilize the country. If he is investigated and prosecuted transparently, however, it could set a precedent for accountability and strengthen state institutions. Ultimately, the impact of his deportation will depend on whether Haitian authorities, under the scrutiny of international partners, seize the opportunity to dismantle a link between powerful elites and the armed groups that have devastated the nation.

Haiti Integrates 300 New Recruits into the Armed Forces to Strengthen National Security

As part of a broader national security strategy, approximately 300 young Haitians were officially inducted into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAD’H) today to begin specialized military training. This new intake aims to expand the operational capacity of the institution at a time when the transitional government and the Presidential Transitional Council are intensifying efforts to combat armed gangs and widespread insecurity.

The initiative reflects a continuing policy to rebuild and modernize the Haitian military, with the goal of creating a stronger, better-trained force capable of deploying effectively across the country. Restoring order and security to a population deeply affected by violence remains one of the government’s foremost challenges.

A similar recruitment drive took place in May 2025, when at least 250 young people joined the FAD’H at Clercine. Among that group, 150 of the top recruits were selected to undergo advanced training abroad. The current class appears to continue this trajectory of rapid force expansion.

However, officials and observers stress that recruitment alone is insufficient. For the initiative to succeed, it must be paired with rigorous training, professional oversight, and adequate equipment. The focus is not only on enlarging troop numbers but also on enhancing core skills—particularly in urban operations, anti-gang missions, and civilian engagement.

EU-Funded Market Project in Ouanaminthe Rocked by Corruption Scandal

A project to rehabilitate the communal market in Ouanaminthe, financed by the European Union with nearly 900,000 euros, has been tainted by a serious corruption case. An investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) revealed that close to 24 million gourdes (about 182,000 USD) collected between 2021 and 2025 were never deposited into the municipal account. Instead, market director Quenox Célicourt allegedly kept the funds at his home, in direct violation of state financial management regulations.

The ULCC report further implicates the mayor of Ouanaminthe, Luma Demetrius, who is accused of personally receiving 185,000 gourdes (about 1,400 USD) in unrecorded cash payments. Investigators denounced the absence of financial reports, budgets, or supporting documentation, highlighting a complete lack of transparency and accountability in the handling of public funds. The findings suggest systemic irregularities that deprived the municipality of critical resources for its development and eroded public trust in local leadership.

In response, the ULCC recommended criminal proceedings for abuse of office and embezzlement against both officials. On September 17, 2025, several individuals, including former mayor Demetrius, departmental MTPTC director Marie Thérèse Alténor, and market directors Célicourt and José Laguerre, were referred to the Fort-Liberté Prosecutor’s Office. The scandal underscores the persistence of corruption in local governance, drawing renewed scrutiny from international watchdogs such as Transparency International.

Pastor Arrested in Ouanaminthe After Murder of Lawyer Sparks Outrage

The killing of Albert Joseph, a respected 56-year-old lawyer and longtime member of the Fort-Liberté Bar Association, has plunged Ouanaminthe into turmoil. Joseph, also known for his work as an agricultural entrepreneur and teacher, was gunned down on September 24, 2025, in front of a bank on Rue Espagnole. His assassination came just weeks after a traffic accident involving a vehicle from Pastor Moïse Joseph’s rice mill killed three young men, a tragedy that led to disputes over compensation and escalated into a bitter feud. Lawyers representing the victims’ families demanded 60 million gourdes (about 462,000 USD), and although Albert Joseph was not directly handling the case, he voiced support for his colleagues, drawing sharp public criticism and threats from the pastor.

On September 25, police arrested Pastor Joseph, a well-known church leader and businessman in the northeast, along with Michelle Adrien, the wife of the Fort-Liberté Bar Association president, for alleged involvement in planning the assassination. Their detention followed weeks of rising tensions, inflammatory statements, and public confrontations between the pastor and the lawyer, culminating in Joseph’s murder. Two additional suspects, Ruth Raphael and Johnny Bruno, were later arrested for their suspected role in the shooting itself. Authorities have questioned several others as part of an expanding investigation led by Police Commissioner Ronald Eugene and Government Commissioner Charles Édouard Durand.

The killing has sparked widespread protests in Ouanaminthe, with residents blocking roads, burning tires, and demanding justice. Civil society leaders, lawyers, and community figures are urging prosecutors to hold all those responsible to account, while the Bar Association faces mounting criticism for its silence. The case has divided the community, with some defending Pastor Joseph’s innocence and others convinced the crime was orchestrated to silence opposition. Amid calls for accountability, the tragedy highlights both the fragility of justice in Haiti’s northeast and the growing climate of impunity fueling unrest across the country.

For 36th Consecutive Year, U.S. Labels Haiti a Major Drug Transit Hub

Haiti has once again been named by the United States as one of the world’s principal drug transit countries, marking the 36th year in a row that it has appeared on the list. The designation, reaffirmed in late September 2025 by the White House in a report to Congress, does not measure government cooperation or enforcement efforts but highlights Haiti’s geographic and economic vulnerabilities that make it a preferred gateway for narcotics traffickers. Since its first inclusion in 1989 under President George H. W. Bush, Haiti has remained a critical corridor for cocaine shipments bound from South America to the United States through the Caribbean.

The renewed classification comes alongside major law enforcement actions and record seizures. In July 2025, Haitian police intercepted three vessels near Tortuga Island, seizing more than a ton of cocaine with an estimated street value of $29 million. U.S. prosecutors also announced a nine-year prison sentence for Jean Eliobert “Eddy One” Jasme, who admitted to routing cocaine from Venezuela and Colombia through Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas to U.S. markets. At a Senate hearing earlier in September, FBI Director Kash Patel underscored that traffickers continue to rely on Haitian territory, using both maritime and aerial routes, often protected by gang networks.

Analysts warn that Haiti’s role in the narcotics trade is expanding, with international cartels embedding operations in the country’s poorly monitored ports and airstrips. Former Haitian Army Colonel Himmler Rébu has cautioned that the country is edging toward “narco-state” status, where gangs not only fuel violence with drug profits but also provide cover for transnational smuggling networks. A United Nations report issued earlier in 2025 echoed those concerns, citing seizures of drugs and weapons linked to Bahamian nationals and other regional actors. The continued U.S. designation underscores both the scale of the trafficking problem and the urgent need for institutional reform to address the intersection of organized crime, weak governance, and widespread impunity.

Canada Commits $60 Million to Support New Haiti Security Force

Canada has become the first nation to formally pledge financial support for a proposed new international mission in Haiti, committing CA$60 million (about US$44 million) to reinforce security efforts in the country and across the Caribbean. Of this, CA$40 million is earmarked for the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) or its potential successor, the U.S.-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), while CA$20 million will fund a regional maritime initiative aimed at curbing organized crime and the flow of illicit goods. The announcement was made during the UN General Assembly in New York, following meetings between Haitian Transitional Presidential Council leader Laurent Saint-Cyr and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Ottawa’s pledge underscores its role as the largest donor to the UN trust fund supporting the Kenyan-led MSS, having already contributed more than $60 million, compared to $15 million from the United States and an expected contribution from Mexico. Despite these funds, the MSS has struggled to meet its objectives, operating at less than half its intended strength and failing to reclaim gang-held areas since its deployment in June 2024. With its mandate set to expire on October 2, the United States and Panama are pushing for a Security Council resolution to authorize a larger force of 5,500 personnel with stronger operational backing.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasized that the contribution reflects Canada’s commitment to multilateral solutions for regional stability, while Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau urged swift adoption of the resolution to avoid further deterioration on the ground. Kenyan President William Ruto, however, cautioned that any new mission must have clear mandates and guaranteed funding to avoid repeating the shortcomings of the MSS.

The pledge comes amid worsening conditions in Haiti, where gangs now control nearly 90% of Port-au-Prince and continue to spread into provincial towns. Recent incidents, including a drone strike in Simon Pelé that killed at least 15 people, among them eight children, have intensified calls for urgent action. Haitian leaders stress that restoring security is a prerequisite for holding elections, while international partners argue that only a well-resourced and clearly mandated force can dismantle entrenched armed groups and re-establish constitutional order.

Cholera Spreads in Haitian Displacement Camps as Health System Buckles

In September 2025 cholera continues to threaten Haiti’s population, especially those displaced by insecurity and living in makeshift camps. During the second week of the month the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization documented 30 new suspected cases across more than a dozen communes in five departments, bringing the year’s total to over 3,100 suspected cholera cases. Many of the new cases are concentrated in the West Department including in displacement sites. Two active transmission hotspots have been identified in Saint-Raphaël in the North and Saint-Michel in Artibonite. One death was recorded in this wave, and three quarters of the new cases were treated in nine health facilities supported by WHO and PAHO. Humanitarian actors including WHO, PAHO and Médecins Sans Frontières are working with Haitian health authorities to provide medical care, sanitation support and outreach in affected communities.

Public health authorities and humanitarian organizations warn that the crisis is exacerbated by dire structural conditions. Less than one third of health facilities capable of hospital level care remain fully operational, limiting the system’s capacity to manage outbreaks, rising malnutrition and violence simultaneously. In the displacement camps, limited access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and security constraints block response teams from reaching vulnerable populations. OCHA emphasizes that the humanitarian needs are outpacing resources. With the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan only 13 percent funded, the scale of intervention needed to control cholera and prevent further deaths is severely constrained.

Efforts to curb cholera have included establishing a new Cholera Treatment Center at the Delmas 33 IDP site with facilities such as latrines, showers, observation rooms and case management capacity coordinated by the Ministry of Public Health and supported by PAHO and WHO. Since early 2025 more than 2,500 suspected cholera cases have already been reported nationwide, including outbreaks in displacement camps. To prevent further spread, partners have distributed water purification tablets, hygiene kits, oral rehydration salts and conducted community awareness campaigns on hygiene behaviors and early symptom reporting.

The inland situation in Haiti’s displacement camps underscores a larger humanitarian crisis. Nearly 1.3 million people are internally displaced, and escalating violence, economic collapse and climate related shocks place heavy strain on public services. The cholera resurgence represents both a symptom and an accelerant of that collapse. As health, water and sanitation systems deteriorate, epidemic risk grows. With limited funding and constrained access, the next months will be decisive for preventing broader outbreaks and saving lives.

Torrential Rains Devastate Les Cayes, Leaving Thousands Displaced

Days of heavy downpours have battered Les Cayes and surrounding towns in Haiti’s South Department, leaving at least one-man dead in Maniche and one woman missing after being swept away by a swollen river. More than 40,000 families have been affected, with streets, homes, and farmland submerged. Floodwaters damaged nearly 5,500 houses and inundated over 5,000 more, while crops including bananas, beans, corn, rice, and yams were destroyed. Livestock losses were also severe, with more than 2,400 animals reported dead. Authorities recorded 84 injuries across the region and confirmed widespread disruption to basic services.

The floods have severely strained access to medical facilities and infrastructure. Hospitals in Les Cayes, Cavaillon, and other towns reported restricted or blocked access, with Bonne-Fin Hospital cut off entirely. Several bridges and roads were damaged, including the Danma and Vilou bridges, limiting movement across rural communities. Local officials denounced chronic problems with drainage canals in Les Cayes, which remain clogged with waste, worsening the flooding. They also pointed to the rapid influx of displaced families from Port-au-Prince, whose unregulated construction in vulnerable areas has heightened the city’s flood risks.

Authorities are urging vigilance as rain continues to fall, warning residents to avoid rivers, landslide-prone zones, and fragile structures. Meteorologists caution that saturated soils leave the region highly vulnerable to additional flooding in the days ahead. While some businesses and markets in downtown Les Cayes have begun reopening, many neighborhoods remain underwater, families are displaced, and agricultural losses threaten food security. Local leaders stress that urgent state intervention is needed to clear drainage systems, enforce building regulations, and prepare for further storms during peak hurricane season.

Haiti Installs New Director General of Customs Amid Calls for Reform

On September 22, 2025, Alfred Fils Metellus, Minister of Economy and Finance, officially installed Gérald Remplais as the new Director General of the General Customs Administration (AGD). The ceremony, marked by formalities including the national anthem and introductory speeches, also featured remarks from the outgoing Director General Julcene Edouard, who highlighted accomplishments during his three-year tenure. Among them was the reopening of the National Customs School, which had been closed for years, and his call for continued professionalism within the agency.

In his address, Minister Metellus stressed that reforming Haiti’s customs system remains a central priority. He urged the new Director General to advance long-delayed projects, including the creation of a special status for customs officers. These reforms, he argued, are essential to improve efficiency and strengthen competitiveness for Haitian businesses, while ensuring that customs plays a more effective role in the nation’s economic recovery.

Taking the podium, Gérald Remplais pledged to focus on three strategic priorities. These include intensifying the fight against fraud and smuggling, strengthening controls while streamlining processes to boost tax revenues, and combating corruption both inside and outside the institution. He emphasized that revitalizing the image of the Customs Administration requires integrity and modernization at every level.

Haiti’s customs sector faces persistent challenges that underscore the urgency of these reforms. Widespread smuggling undermines state revenues, costing the government hundreds of millions annually. Corruption at ports and border crossings remains deeply entrenched, eroding public trust and discouraging legitimate commerce. Limited technology and outdated systems slow down trade facilitation, pushing many businesses into informal channels. Additionally, the porous border with the Dominican Republic continues to fuel illicit trade in goods, arms, and even fuel, further straining the AGD’s capacity. The installation of a new Director General thus comes at a critical juncture, as customs reform is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of both fiscal stability and national security.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Warns Haitian Leaders: Support Tied to Elections and Democratic Transition

Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Henry T. Wooster, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Haiti, delivered a direct message to Haitian authorities and the international community. Addressing reporters at the New York Foreign Press Center, Wooster reaffirmed Washington’s willingness to continue assisting Haiti but made it clear that this support is conditional on concrete progress in security, governance, and the organization of elections.

He emphasized that U.S. funding for the Multinational Security Support mission, now referred to as the Gang Suppression Force, will not extend beyond December 2025 unless the UN Security Council adopts the proposed resolution. “American support for this mission is not unlimited or automatic,” he cautioned, underscoring the expectation of tangible results on the ground.

Central to Wooster’s message was the urgency of credible and inclusive elections. “Haitians must go to the polls and elect a president,” he said, acknowledging the serious obstacles that remain, from ongoing insecurity to divisions within the Transitional Presidential Council and unresolved questions about constitutional reform. While he recognized the constitutional debate as legitimate and critical for Haiti’s sovereignty, he warned that it must not become an excuse to delay political action.

Wooster was equally firm about the temporary nature of Haiti’s transitional positions. “These are not lifetime posts,” he declared, criticizing the tendency of some leaders to prolong their stay in office. He argued that clinging to power has historically fueled instability in Haiti and reiterated the necessity of restoring democratic legitimacy through elections. The message from Washington was unambiguous: continued U.S. engagement is possible, but it hinges on Haitian authorities demonstrating the will to move forward on elections and governance reforms.

Dominican President Luis Abinader Calls for Bold Reform and Urgent Action on Haiti Crisis

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Dominican President Luis Abinader urged immediate and decisive international action to confront what he described as an “unprecedented human tragedy” in neighboring Haiti. He denounced the armed gangs that control more than 90 percent of Port-au-Prince as a direct threat to peace and security not only for the Dominican Republic but for the entire region.

Abinader called for a broad reform of the UN system, warning that its credibility and effectiveness are in decline. He proposed that the Caribbean and Latin America jointly appoint a visionary, independent, and committed leader capable of advancing a concrete plan for Haiti. He further stressed that global dialogue platforms must be more transparent and effective if they are to address crises of this magnitude, while also condemning online disinformation that distorts perceptions of Haiti’s collapse.

The Dominican leader expressed strong support for transforming the current Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, led by Kenya, into a UN-mandated force with reinforced command and logistical backing. He emphasized that there can be no negotiations with the heavily armed groups and insisted that only a coherent and sustained collective international response will restore security and create conditions for Haitians to reach a democratic agreement among themselves.

Abinader linked his appeal to domestic measures, reaffirming his government’s commitment to secure Dominican borders and enforce strict migration policies. Since early 2025, more than 250,000 Haitians without legal status have been expelled, he said, noting that border closures imposed since 2023 in the wake of the Massacre River canal dispute remain in effect, with exceptions only for diplomats, humanitarian workers, and commercial activity. He also called for the next UN Secretary-General to be a woman, replacing António Guterres, as part of broader institutional reform. On the eve of his speech, Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez reminded the UN Economic and Social Council of the urgency of an integrated response by the Security Council, while highlighting the Dominican Republic’s ongoing medical assistance to MSS personnel and its support for enforcing sanctions and the arms embargo established by Resolution 2653 of October 21, 2022.

Death of Ti Will in Gonaïves: Haitian Police Dispatch Three-Member Commission

Following the death of Wilfort Ferdinand, known as “Ti Will,” on September 16, the Haitian National Police (PNH) has deployed a special three-member commission to Gonaïves to evaluate the security situation in the Artibonite department and propose measures to restore order.

The commission includes divisional commissioners Paul Ménard and Prévil Castro, along with principal commissioner Altis Max Vital. Their mandate is to assess current conditions in Artibonite and report back to PNH high command with recommendations. According to a police statement, the move is intended to reinforce the institution’s authority, strengthen operational capacity, and consolidate command in a region heavily affected by gang violence. The commission operates under the supervision of Inspector General Joany Canéus, coordinator of the Artibonite Departmental Directorate.

The killing of Ti Will has shaken Haiti’s fourth-largest city, sparking instability in a department already under significant gang influence. Protests have erupted in Gonaïves, with demonstrators demanding justice for the former rebel leader and calling for the removal of Artibonite’s police director, Ader Jacques, who is accused by some of having ordered his execution. The PNH maintains that Ferdinand was killed in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, though his relatives claim he was executed in a police operation gone wrong.

Wilfort Ferdinand was once the leader of the “Cannibal Army” rebel group. In 2023, he survived after being shot multiple times during an altercation at a birthday party in Gonaïves, an incident that had already drawn police intervention. His death in September 2025 marks the latest flashpoint in Artibonite, underscoring the volatile mix of armed groups, contested narratives, and public mistrust toward state authorities.

Appolon Alix Appointed as New Commander of BOID

On September 24, 2025, Municipal Commissioner Appolon Alix was officially installed as the new commander of the Departmental Operation and Intervention Brigade (BOID), a specialized tactical unit within the Haitian National Police.

Created in 2015, BOID was established as a rapid-response force designed to support departmental police commands during high-risk operations. Known for its speed and precision in the field, the unit is tasked with confronting heavily armed gangs, conducting crowd-control operations, and reinforcing police when standard patrols are overwhelmed. BOID members are trained in urban combat, riot management, and tactical intervention, and they are equipped with heavier gear and weapons than regular police units.

As part of the PNH’s network of specialized forces, which also includes SWAT, UDMO, BLTS, and CIMO, BOID was intended to fill the gap between riot-control and elite tactical operations. Over the years, it has become a central player in counter-gang missions and major security interventions, especially in Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite region. The unit’s reputation reflects both its operational effectiveness and the controversy surrounding allegations of excessive force during certain missions.

With Alix’s appointment, authorities hope to strengthen coordination and restore confidence in BOID’s capacity to address Haiti’s escalating insecurity. His leadership is expected to give new momentum to the brigade as the PNH seeks to reclaim territory and stabilize areas under heavy gang influence.

Gros-Morne Prepares Mega Demonstration to Demand Retention of Police Commander Jacques Ader

In Gros-Morne, the local population is mobilizing for a massive protest scheduled on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in front of the town hall. Demonstrators intend to demand that Jacques Ader remain at the helm of the Departmental Directorate of the National Police (DDA/PNH). According to organizers, many civic offices will close in solidarity with the police during the protest.

Jacques Ader was officially installed as head of the Artibonite Departmental Police command on August 23, 2025, replacing Jean Frenel Beauvoir. His appointment has drawn both support and criticism. In recent weeks, reports indicate unrest in the Artibonite region, with some local residents accusing Ader’s removal of creating chaos and others opposing his tenure for alleged abuses. One local social media report states that the community of Gros-Morne rejects any attempt at his dismissal, deeming him the “best suited” leader for the DDA/PNH.

The demonstration reflects deeper tensions over policing, security, and local power. Artibonite suffers from widespread gang activity and weak state presence, and community confidence in law enforcement is fragile. The protest may pressure national authorities to reconsider any plans to reassign the police commander. Yet it also raises risks of confrontation, especially if security forces try to block the gathering or respond forcefully.