Gangs continue to rule Haiti, expanding their grip as authorities vow action

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The National Police (PNH) High Command and the transitional government have reassured Haitians by promising to strengthen police presence in gang-controlled areas, particularly in the departments of West and Artibonite. However, municipalities that have suffered from severe gang-led atrocities such as Gressier, Carrefour and Ganthier are still waiting for help.

Police operations remain limited as PNH officers are under-equipped and continue to be overrun and outnumbered by powerful gangs, despite the presence of 400 Kenyan troops – part of the Multinational Security and Support (MSS) – tasked with supporting their efforts.

At a press conference on August 16, PNH spokesman Michel-Ange Louis Jeune discussed a recent operation at the “Hôtel Anvayi” in Tabarre, near Toussaint Louverture International Airport. He stated that “the police have started action against gang violence and will continue their efforts to reclaim the areas from criminal groups. Patience was requested.”

“The population is asking for more, and that is normal, given the situation. But you have to start somewhere. So, we start and move forward,” said Louis Jeune. “The police will continue to work and inform the population of their actions.”

During the intervention at the hotel in Tabarre on August 15, at least five people, including two police officers linked to the 400 Mawozo gang – Wilson Lamartinière and Maxime Hans Agenor – and escaped prisoner Cazales “Gwo Fanfan” Blanco, were killed in gunfights with PNH agents.

In addition, 13 suspected bandits were arrested, including three police officers and two journalists: Banatte Daniel of Regard FM and Richelson Sénejuste of Radio Pa Nou. The journalists were in a white vehicle registered as ‘State Service’ and had several weapons, including a Ruger rifle, the police spokesman said.

Regarding the MSS’s involvement in supporting PNH operations, Louis Jeune noted that Kenyan police officers are assisting local police in dispersing gangs and will remain on the ground to help restore peace.

However, a source familiar with the situation in the Kenyan armed forces told The Haitian Times that the East African contingent faces numerous challenges to effectiveness, including logistical constraints and a lack of equipment.

The U.S. government, through the Department of Defense, has provided materials and equipment to the multinational mission. However, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record, said that the materials provided are largely insufficient to effectively counter the skilled and sophisticated gangs.

On Saturday, the U.S. Department of Defense delivered two of the 24 MaxxPro turreted vehicles promised to MSS Commander Godfrey Otunge aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane. The C-17 will also carry 34 artillery protection kits, known as “turrets,” that will be installed by U.S. contractors in the coming days.

According to a U.S. Department of Defense memo, these turrets are designed to enhance tactical visibility and protection for MSS personnel during joint security operations with Haitian police. This new batch of equipment will complement the 10 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles previously delivered by the U.S. to support PNH operations in areas affected by gang violence.

In addition, the PNH received 24 armored troop carriers with turrets on Friday. These vehicles, ordered by the previous government, were delivered by the French government to the seaport of Port-au-Prince, according to a report from the MSS.

Pending the government’s concrete action plan

Justice and Public Security Minister Carlos Hercule, in an interview with The Haitian Times at the Bar Book Fair in Port-au-Prince on August 23, said the government’s more aggressive effort to tackle gang violence is still in the planning stages. “A goal needs planning to achieve it, so results come faster,” he said.

However, Hercule referred to an August 9 press release stating that following gang attacks in Ganthier, Cabaret and Arcahaie, the PNH had received formal instructions to take action against the bandits terrorizing the country, particularly in Port-au-Prince and the metropolitan areas.

The justice minister admitted that the terror imposed by armed gangs has lasted too long. He urged police to ensure public peace so that people can “move freely and in complete peace and return to their normal lives.”

“As part of the state of emergency, members of the anti-gang unit, including government commissioners and deputy commissioners, are tasked with taking action against the gangs and their sponsors,” Hercule said.

Despite government promises, security conditions remain unchanged, particularly in the Carrefour and Gressier neighborhoods in southwestern Port-au-Prince, where gangs impose their power and dictate their way of life.

Since June 2021, a climate of terror has reigned at the southern entrance to the capital, with gangs from Village-de-Dieu, Grand Ravine and Fontamara extorting, stealing, kidnapping and killing along National Road #2. The situation has worsened as gangs expand their power.

More suffering at Carrefour and Gressier

Gang attacks have taken a heavy toll on these communities. While authorities vowed action, a report published on August 15 by the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH) revealed that at least 66 people were killed or reported missing due to gang violence in the two municipalities between January and July 2024.

According to RNDDH, the victims are four Haitian police officers, 15 women, a minor and 12 elderly people between 60 and 80 years old. In addition, 46 women and girls were sexually abused. Of these women, 23 were rescued by the police during an operation on July 20-21 in Monvil, Gressier.

“Fifteen of these women were raped by at least four men. They were abducted from vehicles travelling south,” said Gressier’s interim executive agent, Jean Vladimir Bertrand.

The RNDDH also reported significant material damage, with hundreds of homes burned, looted or occupied by armed bandits. They stole vehicles and goods, looted the town hall, destroyed the Gressier police station and set fire to the Saint-Charles sub-police station.

However, state interventions in the region remain insignificant compared to the terror imposed by armed gangs,” the RNDDH said. “From January to July 2024, the security situation in Carrefour and Gressier has completely degenerated, marked by armed bandits in the streets, markets, sports clubs and bus stations.”

The human rights group noted that Haitian authorities have lost control of the southern part of the capital. Gangs now regulate public markets, businesses and transportation. They have multiplied toll booths on the road from Portail Léogane to Gressier, less than 13 miles long, with drivers and passengers paying at least 12 times to pass.

Impatient social organizations express their frustrations

Manice Deplat, president of SOS Transport, a public transport union, expressed frustration at the transitional government’s slow response to restoring road safety and urged swift and bold action against gangs.

“To neutralize gangs, promises and speeches are no longer enough. It is time for the reign of bandits to end,” Deplat said. “Prime Minister Garry Conille and PNH director Rameau Normil must take concrete measures to end insecurity.”

While some criticize the inaction of Haitian authorities and the ineffective presence of Kenyan officers, others call on the international community to fulfill its promises to support the Haitian police.

The political organization Nou Pap Konplis emphasizes that the continued uncertainty kills hope and weakens the Haitian population economically due to the inaction of the authorities. The organization questions the delay in the delivery of the promised equipment from the United States to the multinational mission, while the Haitian government refuses to provide aid to El Salvador.

The organization has criticized the US for not delivering promised rifles, helicopters, snipers, riot control equipment, firearms, ammunition and reconnaissance drones to the Multinational Security and Support (MSS) mission.

In a press release shared with The Haitian Times, Ricardo Fleuridor, national coordinator of Nou Pap Konplis, expressed confusion over El Salvador’s refusal to provide helicopters to the Haitian police and to redeploy part of its military contingent from Mali to Haiti to reinforce the MSS.

“More than a month after Kenyan troops arrived, Haiti is struggling to see the promises of the international community become reality,” Fleuridor said. “What is happening in Ganthier and Gressier is not due to the failure of our law enforcement.”

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