Overview:
Because the begin of the yr, the Haitian Nationwide Police has launched a number of operations in a number of Port-au-Prince neighborhoods, Arcahaie and the Northern Division, concentrating on armed gangs and weapons trafficking. Police seized assault rifles, ammunition and tactical gear and arrested a number of suspects. Regardless of intensified actions, authorities acknowledge that no territory has but been absolutely reclaimed and main gang leaders stay at giant.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Haitian Nationwide Police (PNH) started 2026 with a sequence of operations concentrating on armed gangs and weapons trafficking throughout a number of Port-au-Prince neighborhoods, Arcahaie and a few areas within the Northern Division, seizing assault rifles, ammunition and tactical gear whereas arresting a number of suspects.
The latest operation befell Thursday, Jan. 8, in Delmas 2, an space authorities describe as a stronghold of the “Krache Dife” gang, a Viv Ansanm coalition affiliate led by Jean Gardy. Police reported seizing two M4 assault rifles, 4 magazines for M14 rifles, 4 bulletproof vests, 4 tactical vests, two ballistic plates and a container of 5.56 mm ammunition.
“This operation is a part of a method to accentuate the combat towards armed gangs and cut back their capability to trigger hurt,” the PNH common directorate stated in a statement, reiterating its dedication to dismantling legal networks and restoring order in high-risk areas.
The operations had been carried out with assist from the Kenya-led Multinational Safety Help Mission (MSS), which the United Nations Safety Council reconfigured in October because the Gang Suppression Power (GSF), and from the safety activity drive established by the prime minister’s workplace. Police stated the actions inflicted losses on gang buildings and led to a number of arrests.
Bel-Air amongst first targets in Port-au-Prince, Arcahaie operation dismantles roadblock
Within the capital, operations started earlier within the Bel-Air neighborhood of Delmas 4 on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Police stated the intervention was aimed toward armed teams they classify as terrorist organizations, accused of terrorizing residents and limiting motion.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, officers searched a home close to the residence of a gang chief generally known as Jamesley, seizing an M16 rifle, {a magazine}, a police-issued bulletproof vest, binoculars, a ballistic helmet and different tools. Police stated a person, a lady and two youngsters had been discovered inside the home, although authorities haven’t disclosed additional particulars about their presence.
Earlier, on Friday, Jan. 2, police intervened within the Bercy space of Arcahaie, west of Port-au-Prince, the place armed teams had erected roadblocks to extort residents and disrupt visitors.
Police stated the operation dismantled the barricades and led to the seizure of three firearms — two M4 rifles and one Kalashnikov-style rifle. A number of suspects had been injured throughout exchanges of gunfire with officers, authorities stated.
Arms trafficking focused within the North
In northern Haiti, police struck a weapons trafficking community linked to firearms smuggling from the US. On Jan. 7, Cedernier “Djo” Joseph was arrested in Quartier-Morin, a day after authorities intercepted a container at Cap-Haïtien port, Cap-Terminal S.A. 2.
The container, inspected by the Brigade for the Combat Towards Drug Trafficking (BLTS) with assist from customs and native police, contained 9 handguns of assorted calibers, 9 magazines and about 5,500 rounds of seven.62×39 ammunition. Two different people, Willy Pierre and Clevickson Servius, had been detained on the scene for unlawful worldwide arms trafficking.
Operations intensify, however management stays elusive
Regardless of the stepped-up operations, police acknowledge that no territory has but been absolutely reclaimed. A number of gang members have been killed in gunfights, however no distinguished gang leaders have been captured or neutralized.
In the meantime, armed teams proceed assaults in areas together with Kenscoff, Montrouis and components of the Artibonite area, the place residents’ motion stays severely restricted.
Talking Jan. 7 on Radio Magik 9, Mario Andrésol, secretary of state for public safety, stated authorities plan to clear nationwide roads linking Port-au-Prince to the south and north earlier than Feb. 7, when the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council is ready to finish.
“I can assure that Port-au-Prince has not fallen and won’t fall,” Andrésol stated. “Even when main gang leaders usually are not instantly arrested, the target is to dismantle the buildings they depend on and isolate them from their followers.”