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Situation in Haiti
- The Wharf Jeremie gang killed at least 207 people in Cité Soleil in early December, revising an earlier death toll of 187.
- A new report by the UN describes that at least 134 men and 73 women, most of them accused of witchcraft, were killed in less than a week of mass executions, abductions, and raids.
- Armed members of the Viv Ansanm coalition attempted to take control of Kenscoff and the Taras neighborhoods, focusing on Makako, on 1 January. The attack led to intense clashes between the gang and local police, supported by defense militias.
- Civilians killed Faro Markenson, a Haitian gang leader wanted for allegedly murdering police officers, on 30 December.
- A crowd seized him, lynched him, and burned his body, as he was being transferred from the Dominican Republic to the Haitian National Police (PNH). The crowd managed to get Markenson away from custody a few minutes after he crossed the border into Haiti under escort of the PNH.
- A merchant ship capsized in Port-au-Prince on 23 December, killing at least seven people and injuring 17. The incident occurred during the loading of trucks when a manoeuvre caused the vessel to lean and overturn.
- Prime Minister Fils-Aimé dismissed the Minister of Public Health after his decision to reopen the General Hospital without notifying the police. This led to an attack by bandits, leaving three dead, and injuring several others.
- Violent clashes in Lascahobas followed a dispute between a Brigade de Surveillance des Aires Protégées (BSAP) agent and a plainclothes police officer. Four people were injured by gunfire. Two BSAP vehicles were set on fire, and their base was vandalized by locals supporting the police.
- Specialized units of the Haitian National Police conducted an operation in Grosse Pierre, Saut-d’Eau, on the night of 26 December to 27. During the operation, two bandits were fatally injured in exchanges of fire with the police.
- Following recent attacks in the Poste Marchand area of Port-au-Prince, the number of displaced people has reached 10,867. 95% of them have sought refuge in 18 sites, including 4 newly created ones and 14 existing ones, which have seen a significant increase in population.
- Torrential rains have devastated Cap-Haïtien, flooding streets, blocking roads with garbage, and overwhelming local infrastructure. Engineer Raoul Lecompte criticized the lack of equipment and support from the government, calling for intervention to address the crisis.
- Renovation work on the Cap-Haïtien airport runway, led by NH Global, began on 30 December. The 7-month project aims to improve safety, efficiency, and drainage. The main objective is to meet international standards.
Situation on the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT)
- Leslie Voltaire, president of the CPT, announced the development of a rigorous plan to control weapons and ammunition circulation. This project is part of a broader strategy involving collaboration with countries experienced in confronting transnational criminal networks.
- Jean Charles Moïse, leader of the Pitit Dessalin Party, gave the CPT a one-week ultimatum to address the current issues in Haiti. He demands the replacement of the CPT if no progress is made.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- 150 Guatemalan military police officers arrived on 3 and 4 January, joining the MSS mission, led by Kenya. This deployment aims to enhance the mission’s ability to combat criminal gangs in Haiti.
- The Guatemalan soldiers arrived on Friday and Saturday. In addition, 8 Salvadorans arrived in Haiti to reinforce the UN-backed mission fighting gang violence.
- The French Government has allocated an additional 4.5 million euros to the MSS mission, increasing its total aid to 9.5 million euros in contributions to the mission.
International situation
- Funding delays from international partners have stalled the deployment of 600 Kenyan police officers to Haiti. Despite completing training, these officers remain on standby due to financial constraints.
- More Haitians were deported from the Dominican Republic on New Year’s Eve and on 7 January, despite a declaration by Dominican Republic officials that a temporary suspension of deportations would be observed for the holiday season.
- The Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Japanese Embassy in Haiti visited the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 27 December. They discussed Japan’s support for restoring security in Haiti, organizing upcoming elections, providing food aid, and addressing the issue of mass deportations of Haitians.
- A UN report states that 63% of health facilities with beds are non-functional or partially functional. In the Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince, 41% of these facilities are closed, and 22% are only partially operational, with insecurity limiting access to vital care.
- UN Expert William O’Neill expressed deep concern over the attacks on health facilities by gangs in Haiti.
- In 2024, gang violence in Haiti resulted in over 5,600 deaths, with thousands more injured or kidnapped, according to the UN. Despite a UN-backed mission, violence persists, with calls for more support for Haiti’s police, while Russia and China oppose a peacekeeping operation.
Links of interest
Seven killed and 17 injured after boat sinks off Haiti
Gang leader lynched
FLASH : Minister of Health dismissed
Clash between the BSAP and the PNH, 4 injured; France : 4.5 million euros additional for the Mission; Cap-Haitien Airport: Runway Renovation
A plan for the control of weapons and ammunition ?
Ultimatum of Jean Charles Moïse; Nearly 11,000 new displaced persons
Over 200 killed in Haiti’s Cite Soleil massacre, UN report finds
Bandits attempt to take control in Kenscoff
PNH : 2 bandits killed, AK47 and ammunition seized
Critical Need for Government Support in Cap-Haïtien amid Rain and Equipment Deficit
The Role of Guatemalan Soldiers in Haiti’s Mission
Another 75 Guatemalan soldiers arrive in Haiti to battle gangs
Kenya’s Haiti Mission Bolstered as Guatemala, El Salvador Send Troops
Central American troops arrive in Haiti to fight gangs
Haitians deported despite Dominican Republic’s holiday deportation pause
Japanese visit to the Haitian Chancellery
Port-au-Prince : 41% of health facilities with beds are closed
Gang violence killed more than 5,600 people in Haiti in 2024: UN
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