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Situation in Haiti
- Gunfire erupted in Cité-Soleil, Port-au-Prince, on 21 January as armed gang members disrupted traffic and small businesses, leading to clashes with police who attempted to dismantle barricades set up by the “Viv Ansanm” coalition.
- An operation was carried out by Haitian authorities on 11 January in the Ti Bwadòm neighbourhood in Ouanaminthe. During the operation, a base known for hosting criminal activities was set on fire, and ten arrests were made.
- Haitian National Police (PNH) successfully blocked an attempt by the “Viv Ansanm” coalition to seize control of Tara’s, Port-au-Prince, on 9 January, neutralising several members, although the precise number of casualties is not clear.
- A former Member of Parliament, Prophane Victor, was arrested on 12 January. He has been long accused of arming gangs in the central region and had already been sanctioned by the U.S. and Canada.
- 25 others were arrested during the same operation, including a brother and son of the former MP. In addition, seven vehicles, several computers and surveillance camera servers were seized.
- Members of the “Kokorat San Ras” gang attacked the localities of Grépin and Campêche in the commune of Gros-Morne in the Arbonite department on 18 January. The assault resulted in 11 dead and four injured, along with lootings and several houses being set on fire.
- A series of interventions were conducted by Haitian authorities in the area of Fort National, resulting in the dismantling of several areas where gangs operated from.
- Over 1 million people are internally displaced in Haiti as of 14 January. Children comprise over half of internally displaced people (IDP). In Port-au-Prince the number of displaced people has increased by 87% since December 2023.
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) resumed operations in Turgeau, Port-au-Prince, on 20 January, at a medical centre that focuses on handling medical and trauma emergencies. MSF had previously resumed operations in Carrefour, Tabarre, Cité Soleil, and Delmas in December.
- 14,633 Haitians were deported and repatriated to Haiti from the Dominican Republic in the first half of January.
- The situation of unaccompanied deported children at the Haitian-Dominican border is in need of urgent attention, requiring services such as food assistance, psychological support and family reunification, according to Plan International.
- 186 cases of rape, including 173 on minors, were recorded in Grand’Anse in 2024.
- The Haitian Public Treasury has allocated 500 million gourdes for extensive repair work in Jacmel ahead of Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit, including airport runway extensions, renovations of public buildings, and a sanitation campaign.
- After 3 years of blackout, the city of Jérémie has regained access to electricity.
Situation on the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT)
- The “Viv Ansanm” coalition have been participating in talks on changes to the CPT, having endorsed a proposal to consider the supreme court as an alternative to the council. The recommendation has been sent to CARICOM.
- “Viv Ansamn” announced on the anniversary of Haiti’s independence that they would soon become a political party and would participate in elections in 2026.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- 217 Kenyan security officers landed in Port Au Prince on 18 January. There are now 597 Kenyan officers on the ground in Haiti.
- Two more contingents of 200 officers are set to be deployed within the next 2 months, one of which will comprise a security team entirely composed of and led by women.
- Barbados has paused its plans to send troops to Haiti as part of the MSS mission, citing concerns over the dangerous situation on the ground and changes in U.S. foreign policy following the recent election. They will instead provide technical assistance.
- Belize has followed Barbados in its considerations of sending further troops to Haiti. They have so far sent 2 soldiers, out of a planned 51.
- Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who has been nominated to become the next Secretary of State, has stated that the Trump administration will continue to support the MSS mission, but will not support a US military intervention in Haiti.
International situation
- The UN Security Council is holding a briefing on Haiti on 22 January, highlighting ongoing tensions in the transitional governance, escalating gang violence, and the need for international support to restore democratic governance and stability ahead of elections planned in 2026.
- 19 suspects, including 17 former Colombian soldiers and two Haitians, accused in the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, had their court hearing postponed again, while several others have been sentenced in the U.S. for their involvement in the assassination.
- Three vehicles of the Consulate General of India were attacked by armed men on 21 January on the airport road, resulting in 4 injured. A similar attack took place on a vehicle of the U.S. embassy on 20 January leading to 1 injured.
Links of interest
Gunfire Erupts Continuously in Parts of the Metropolitan Region
Ouanaminthe: Police Apprehend Ten Suspects in Ti Bwadòm Operation
PNH Stops “Viv Ansanm” Coalition New Offensive at Tara’s, Says Deputy Spokesperson
Haitian police arrest ex-lawmaker long accused of arming gangs to influence elections
25 arrests following that of Profane Victor
Haiti – FLASH : The commune of Gros Morne attacked, at least 11 dead, injured and houses burned
Muscular operation of the PNH
Haiti Displacement Triples Surpassing One Million as Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
Médecins Sans Frontières Resumes Operations in Turgeau
DR : 14,633 Haitians returned to Haiti
Haiti – Humanitarian : The situation of unaccompanied deported children is worrying
Grand’Anse : 173 rapes of minors in 2024; No military intervention in Haiti
Colombian President’s Visit Sparks 500 Million Gourde Investment in Jacmel
Jérémie : end of 3 years of blackout
Future of the CPT: Is the “Viv Ansanm” Coalition Participating in Talks?
Can Haiti’s gangs help solve the political crisis? Some politicians seem to think so
Kenya deploys 217 more police officers to Haiti under UN-backed mission to tackle gang violence
Haiti – FLASH : Kenya to deploy all-female SWAT team to Haiti
Barbados Will No Longer Send Troops to Haiti as Part of the MSS
Haiti – FLASH : Belize hesitates to send more soldiers to Haiti
Haiti: Briefing and Consultations
Judge postpones hearing for suspects in Haitian president’s slaying who were hoping to be released
Indian Consulate Vehicles Attacked in Haiti: One Dead, Four Injured
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.