Anti-gang operation in Kenscoff: 16 suspected members killed by PNH
Haiti's national police killed 16 suspected members of the Grand Ravine and Village-de-Dieu gangs during a night-time operation in Kenscoff on 20-21 February.
Sixteen suspects killed in Kenscoff in night-time PNH operation
The Haitian National Police (PNH) killed at least 16 suspected gang members during an operation conducted in the night of 20-21 February in Kenscoff, haitiantimes.com reports. The intervention targeted members of the armed groups Grand Ravine and Village-de-Dieu, which have extended their control over this commune perched south-east of Port-au-Prince.
Around midnight, specialised units were deployed to the Godet and Wynn Farm sectors. Clashes began around 4 a.m. The operation mobilised sharpshooters, two drones, the Prime Minister's special cell and agents of Vectus Global, the private security company of Erik Prince.
"Through a tactical operation involving sharpshooters and two drones, 16 bandits were fatally wounded," the PNH declared, noting that the toll remains provisional.
The authorities were unable to immediately recover weapons from the suspects' positions due to the distance separating officers from the sites of confrontation. Operations are continuing, they added. The police described the intervention as the beginning of a "methodical encirclement" aimed at dismantling gang positions in Kenscoff.
Kenscoff under gang pressure since 2025
The commune has faced persistent violence since armed groups linked to the Viv Ansanm coalition launched coordinated attacks in 2025. During an initial offensive in January of that year, more than 200 people were killed, dozens wounded and approximately 3,000 residents—including 721 children—were displaced, according to local authorities and humanitarian organisations.
Since then, armed groups have set fire to dwellings, carried out kidnappings and killed members of the security forces. Soldiers were ambushed in April 2025 and security agents were shot at the Teleco telecommunications site.
The beginning of 2026 has not brought any respite. On 11 February, individuals suspected of belonging to Viv Ansanm killed at least one person and set fire to several houses in Kenscoff. Attacks on 29 January and 8 February in the Kay Jak region had already killed at least seven people and resulted in several kidnappings, according to residents.
Expanded anti-gang campaign across the country
The Kenscoff operation is part of a security campaign launched at the beginning of the year. In January, police conducted interventions in Bel-Air and Delmas 6, two neighbourhoods long associated with gang leader Jimmy Cherizier. These operations resulted in the death of several suspects and the seizure of approximately 33 firearms and more than 12,000 rounds of ammunition.
Reinforcements were also deployed to Tabarre, Croix-des-Bouquets and Port-au-Prince city centre. On 21 February, the PNH announced that officers had killed two suspected gang members in Delmas 30 during an attempted kidnapping.
"As these criminals were about to commit a kidnapping, the security forces immediately intervened," the police stated. "When the suspects attempted to flee, they opened fire on police officers, which resulted in a counter-attack."
The PNH has furthermore strengthened its presence in provincial cities, notably Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel and Gonaïves, by deploying additional personnel and armoured vehicles there.
Security situation remains critical
Despite the intensification of operations, the situation remains worrying. United Nations agencies estimate that more than 12,000 armed group members operate across the country, controlling large portions of Port-au-Prince and the main roads connecting departments.
More than 1.4 million people remain displaced across Haiti. Humanitarian organisations warn that access to food, healthcare and education continues to deteriorate as insecurity progresses. Analysts emphasise that lasting stability will depend on sustained security efforts, institutional reform and increased international support.
Source: Google News HT — Port-au-Prince