Overview:
Pétion-Ville’s 2026 Carnival was lower quick on its opening day, Feb. 15, after two individuals had been significantly injured in separate assaults. Authorities halted festivities and banned any unauthorized continuation, underscoring ongoing safety challenges within the capital.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Pétion-Ville’s 2026 Carnival was lower quick on Sunday after opening day violence left two individuals significantly injured — one shot within the head and one other stabbed — prompting metropolis officers to close down the festivities.
The assaults occurred close to the previous Muncheez restaurant, near the city’s Royal Oasis Lodge, in line with local media reports. Each victims had been taken to hospitals for emergency therapy. Authorities haven’t launched updates on their situations or introduced any arrests.
In a statement issued Monday, municipal officers prohibited any try to increase festivities, set up unauthorized carnival actions or occupy public streets underneath the pretext of Carnival.
“The Metropolis Corridor informs the general public that the 2026 Pétion-Ville Carnival formally ended yesterday, Sunday, February 15, 2026,” the be aware, signed by Communications Director Wendy Henry, mentioned.
“The municipal companies are mobilized to make sure avenue cleansing and a gradual return to normalcy within the commune. Any momentary installations or makes use of associated to the carnival should be eliminated instantly,” the Pétion-Ville Metropolis Council mentioned, thanking residents and organizers who participated peacefully.
Carnival custom disrupted by violence
Carnival in Haiti is historically a excessive level of cultural expression — a season of music, satire, creative creativity and civic commentary. By rara bands, marching orchestras, elaborate costumes and hand-crafted masks, communities have fun heritage whereas additionally utilizing humor and track to critique social and political realities.
This 12 months, nonetheless, the celebration unfolded underneath the shadow of persistent gang violence and kidnappings throughout the capital area.
The Metropolis Corridor informs the general public that the 2026 Pétion-Ville Carnival formally ended yesterday, Sunday, February 15, 2026. Municipal companies are mobilized to make sure avenue cleansing and a gradual return to normalcy within the commune.”
Wendy Henry, Communications Director
With no official actions at Champs-de-Mars in downtown Port-au-Prince, Pétion-Ville had turn out to be the first gathering level for carnival-goers within the metropolitan space. The abrupt shutdown not solely ended the commune’s festivities however underscored the delicate safety setting surrounding Haiti’s most emblematic cultural custom.
Early Sunday, the environment in Pétion-Ville was festive. Marching bands animated the principle route as residents gathered alongside Delmas Highway towards Pétion-Ville and Canapé-Vert.
In contrast to celebrations in cities comparable to Jacmel, Cap-Haïtien and Gonaïves — identified for elaborate floats, carnival queens and iconic papier-mâché masks — Pétion-Ville’s festivities centered primarily on avenue bands and crowds of revelers. Nonetheless, residents turned out in giant numbers to take part within the custom.
The celebration was lower quick after gunshots triggered panic, prompting legislation enforcement to halt the occasion.
Decentralized carnival amid safety disaster
The Haitian authorities didn’t set up a nationwide carnival in a chosen metropolis this 12 months. As an alternative, municipalities had been accountable for internet hosting their very own celebrations underneath the theme “Haïti Devant! Ayiti Devan!” (“Haiti Ahead!”).
In an announcement issued days earlier than the festivities started, the Ministry of Tradition and Communication described Carnival as “a serious expression of the nationwide cultural heritage” and one of many strongest types of collective creativity in Haitian society.
“As a social, widespread and creative celebration, it promotes social cohesion, helps cultural industries and contributes to the financial vitality of communities,” the ministry mentioned.
Since Jan. 18, a number of cities have held pre-carnival occasions with out main incidents. However the violence in Pétion-Ville underscored the delicate safety context by which this 12 months’s celebrations are happening.
Gang exercise continues throughout the capital area and surrounding areas. Latest assaults have been reported in Kenscoff and within the Carrefour-Feuilles neighborhood, the place a neighborhood brigade member was killed whereas trying to repel a gang assault.
Police reinforcements and armored autos
As Carnival actions proceed in a number of cities, the Haitian Nationwide Police is increasing its operational capability towards the Viv Ansanm gang coalition.
On Feb. 5, the police acquired three tracked armored autos donated by South Korea. On Monday, Feb. 16, Canada delivered 10 further armored autos. The acquisitions had been made attainable by means of a partnership with the United Nations Workplace for Venture Providers (UNOPS).
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé thanked worldwide companions, together with Canada, the European Union and the US, and reiterated that restoring safety stays the federal government’s high precedence.
“This can be a battle for safety, and we are going to obtain this purpose,” the prime minister mentioned.
For a lot of Haitians, Carnival stays a robust image of resilience and cultural delight. However in Pétion-Ville this 12 months, the celebration ended virtually as quickly because it started — a reminder of the deep safety challenges overshadowing one of many nation’s most cherished traditions.