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Situation in Haiti
- The UN released a report following the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) on 15 October. The report discusses the security situation, the human rights situation, sexual exploitation and abuse, and unemployment, youth and vulnerable groups.
- The report outlined that between June and September 2024, there were 1441 victims of homicide and 443 abductions in Haiti. 106 counts of extrajudicial killings were reported, 96 of which were carried out by police officers.
- During the same period, 514 residences and other private buildings were looted and/or set on fire.
- Gangs are currently in control of 85% of Port-au-Prince, with gangs in the country comprising around 5,500 members, many of which are children.
- The report discussed the situation within gang controlled areas, such as Carrefour and Cité Soleil, with people being killed for avoiding gang-erected checkpoints, collaborating with police officers, and moving out of the communes without consent.
- Armed gangs in Haiti have escalated attacks on U.S. Embassy vehicles and a U.N. helicopter, intensifying violence in response to recent police operations, which has led to planned evacuations of embassy staff and raised concerns about flight and aid disruptions.
- Since 17 October, the neighbourhood of Solino in Port-au-Prince has been under siege by gangs of the “Viv Ansanm” coalition. Over 12,000 people have been displaced due to the attacks in Salino and its surroundings.
- In Arcahaie, over 20,000 people were displaced between 10 and 26 October, especially in the first Boucassin section.
- Fort-National was attacked by members of the “Viv Ansanm” coalition between 2 and 4 November. The gang members executed residents and set fire to houses.
- The Haitian National Police (PNH) has recently intensified operations against gangs across Solino, Arcahaie, Saint-Marc, and Tabarre, securing areas and seizing weapons in collaboration with local residents and international support.
- In Arcahaie, over 40 gang members were killed in clashes with police officers, whilst in Pont-Sondé, a police operation on 23 October successfully managed to drive out members of the “Grand Grif”gang.
- Attacks by gang members were carried out in the communes of Marchand Dessalines and Petite-Rivière in the Artibonite department on 30 October. Ten people were kidnapped and some cattle were stolen.
- In Petit-Goâve, barricades of burning tires were erected on 30 October by members of the population denouncing the installation of the new Government Commissioner.
- The previous day, the police station in Cabaret was destroyed with heavy machines by gang members.
- Members of the gang led by Jimmy Chérizier, alias Barbecue, pillaged and set fire to the Missionaries of Charity compound which includes a convent and hospital.
- Haitian police arrested a Cat Team officer with unauthorized ammunition and cash in his vehicle amid an ongoing investigation into arms trafficking, while acknowledging slow but steady efforts to address security challenges across the country.
- An agreement was made between Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Studebaker Defense Group, a multinational security contractor. While the group has stated they are operating only in an advisory capacity, others have claimed that their agents have participated in police operations.
- The agreement with Studebaker Defense Group increased tensions between the Prime Minister and the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), who claim they were bypassed in this decision. According to a member of the CPT, the issue has since been clarified between the two bodies.
- The international famine early warning system has predicted Crisis and Emergency food insecurity between October 2024 and May 2025, with almost half of the analysed population (11.2 million) likely to experience high acute food insecurity.
- 77 Haitians were repatriated from the US on 31 October, whilst 27 Haitians in an irregular migration situation were arrested on the island of Ambergris Cay, a private island in the Caicos Islands.
- Over 30,000 Haitians were deported from the Dominican Republic between 3 and 23 October. On top of this, a little bit over 10,000 Haitians returned to the country voluntarily.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- El Salvador’s Congress has approved the deployment of soldiers to Haiti to handle medical evacuations.
- Haitian analysts have reflected that the lack of progress seen from the MSS mission is related to a lack of trust by Kenyan soldiers to their Haitian colleagues and a lack of knowledge of the area, including how many armed groups occupy neighbourhoods and territories.
International situation
- Prime Minister Conille criticised the international community, stating: “You promised me 2,500 personnel by September. September has come, and I only have 400. Where is the rest? You told me you would help me rebuild the army, the police, and hire people. Where is that support?”
- The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) issued a statement on the tensions between the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and the Prime Minister of Haiti, stating it was undermining the “confidence among Haiti’s partners and the wider international community”.
Links of interest
UN Reports Surge in Killings and Police Executions in Haiti
Terreur dans le quartier de Solino : les violences de la coalition « Viv Ansanm » plongent la population dans l’horreur
Haïti — Suivi des Urgences 51.2 — Mise à jour sur les déplacements suite aux attaques armées à Port-au-Prince, Delmas et Tabarre (18 – 31 octobre 2024)
Fort-National : Des morts et des maisons incendiées
Arcahaie : 21,770 displaced people
‘This is effectively a civil war’: despair in Haiti as gangs step up assault on capital
Haitian National Police Step Up Anti-Gang Operations in Solino, Arcahaie, and Saint-Marc
Arcahaie : More than 40 bandits killed in fighting
The “Grand Grif” gang chased out of Pont Sondé:
Artibonite : Marchand Dessalines and Petite-Rivière attacked; Cabaret Police Station completely razed; High tension in Petit-Goâve
Barbecue Gang Attacks Missionaries of Charity, Looting and Burning Convent and Hospital
Police Arrest Presidential Security Officer and Other Suspected Arms Traffickers
Haitian Government Hires US Security Contractor, but Questions Remain
Garry Conille Addresses CPT on Potential Mercenary Presence in Haiti
Haiti – Social : Perspectives on food insecurity (October 2024 – May 2025)
USA : Repatriation of 77 Haitians
Haiti – Turks and Caicos : 27 illegal Haitians arrested on the island of Ambergris Cay
Haiti – FLASH : 30,921 illegal Haitians (deported and repatriated) from the Dominican Republic in 20 days
El Salvador’s congress approves sending troop contingent to Haiti
More than 1,200 have been killed in Haiti as gangs launch fresh attacks, UN says
Prime Minister Conille Expresses Discontent with International Security Cooperation
Disclaimer: All information in this Situation Report is presented as a fluid update report, as to the best knowledge and understanding of the authors at the moment of publication. Haiti Matters does not claim that the information is correct but verifies to the best of ability within the circumstances. Publication is weighed on the basis of interest to understand potential impacts of events (or perceptions of these) on the situation. Check all information against updates and other media. Haiti Matters does not take responsibility for the use of the information or impact thereof. All information reported originates from third parties and the content of all reported and linked information remains the sole responsibility of these third parties. Report to info@haiti-matters.org any additional information and corrections.