32 anti-gang raids in Haiti: 43 suspected gang members killed in first quarter 2026
The PNH conducted 32 operations between January and March 2026, killing 43 suspected gang members in three departments. Two police officers also lost their lives.
PNH quarterly report: 32 operations, 43 killed and significant seizures
According to haitiantimes.com, the Haitian National Police (PNH) announced Wednesday that 43 suspected gang members were killed during 32 operations conducted over the first three months of 2026, in the departments of the West, Centre and Artibonite.
These figures were presented at a press conference held at Clercine by spokesman Garry Desrosiers. Two police officers were also killed during these interventions, during an operation aimed at resolving a kidnapping in the suburb of Delmas, north-west of downtown Port-au-Prince.
Gang dismantling and massive seizures
Among the actions taken, Desrosiers specified that police dismantled a gang led by Rodolphe "Chalè" Louissaint in the capital.
"We continue to show determination and we make sacrifices so that the population can move about freely," the spokesman declared.
The operations resulted in the seizure of 46 rifles, 19 pistols, six drones, 10,659 rounds of ammunition and two armoured vehicles. The anti-drugs units also seized more than 76 kilograms of cocaine and marijuana, as well as cash and assets linked to illicit activities.
"Operation Goudougoudou": 50 people referred to justice
In parallel, the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ) conducted a series of investigations as part of "Operation Goudougoudou" — a Haitian Creole term stemming from the devastating January 2010 earthquake. These investigations resulted in 50 people being referred to judicial authorities: 39 men and 11 women, most suspected of links to gangs.
"These results testify to the constant determination of the Haitian National Police to fight crime," the institution stated in an official statement.
A security situation that remains critical
Despite the intensification of operations, violence remains endemic across the country. A recent report from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reveals that at least 5,519 people were killed and 2,608 injured between March 2025 and January 2026, in violence involving gangs, security forces and self-defence groups.
Gangs are responsible for at least 1,424 homicides over this period, whilst security operations resulted in 3,497 deaths. Self-defence groups contributed 598 additional deaths, raising concerns about reprisals and abuse.
Armed groups continue to control nearly 90 per cent of the capital as well as the main national thoroughfares, limiting the movement of people and access to essential services. More than 1.4 million people have been displaced across the country.
Criticism of the effectiveness of the multinational mission
These latest police reports come in a context of questioning the effectiveness of international security efforts, notably the multinational mission led by Kenya deployed in June 2024. Despite millions of dollars committed, this mission has not yet resulted in significant improvement on the ground, according to critics.
The authorities affirm that operations will continue in the coming weeks.
Source: Google News HT — Port-au-Prince