Haiti – Prime Minister Pledges Intensified Action Against Gang Violence

2026-02-18 - 14:05

Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring national security and guaranteeing citizens’ freedom of movement, as the Haitian National Police (PNH) received an additional fleet of armored vehicles amid escalating gang violence. Speaking during a handover ceremony at police headquarters, Fils-Aimé emphasized that rebuilding state authority remains essential to stabilizing the country. “There can be no political stability, economic recovery or social cohesion without the full and complete restoration of republican order,” he stated, underscoring security as the foundation for Haiti’s broader recovery. The 10 armored vehicles were supplied through cooperation between the Government of Canada and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), forming part of an ongoing international effort to strengthen Haiti’s law-enforcement capacity. According to the prime minister, enhancing the operational readiness of the PNH is central to creating conditions necessary for “free, inclusive, transparent, and democratic elections.” Fils-Aimé, who assumed leadership following the expiration of the Provisional Transitional Council’s mandate earlier this month, also appealed to citizens to support police and military forces currently confronting heavily armed criminal groups seeking to destabilize the interim administration. Haiti has faced prolonged political uncertainty since the assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, an event that accelerated institutional instability and contributed to the expansion of gang control across large sections of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The latest shipment brings the total number of recently delivered armored vehicles to 35, including specialized tracked units designed for difficult terrain and high-risk operations. Earlier in the month, additional equipment was supplied by South Korea as part of coordinated international security assistance. Canadian Ambassador André François Giroux reiterated Ottawa’s continued support for efforts aimed at restoring public safety, describing security stabilization as critical to Haiti’s political and humanitarian recovery. Authorities also confirmed that the first contingents of the newly formed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) — intended to replace the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission — are expected to arrive in April. The force is tasked with reducing gang territorial control, protecting critical infrastructure, and helping re-establish state authority as Haiti works toward a return to elected governance. Meanwhile, the Organization of American States announced that its Permanent Council will convene in Washington to review Haiti’s evolving political situation and receive a progress report from Secretary General Albert Ramdin, reflecting continued regional concern over the country’s stability and security trajectory.