Situation in Haiti
- The Gran Grif gang launched a new wave of attacks on Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite on 30 April, following an earlier assault on 28 April. Residents fled across the Artibonite River to escape the violence. At least 50 people were killed, 60 others were injured, and 20 houses were set on fire.
- The renewed violence came just days after police claimed to have gained control of the area, prompting criticism of both the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Multinational Security (MSS) mission.
- Around the same time, the PNH arrested a nurse, Jordany Jean, in Savien after he was allegedly found treating a wounded gang member. Jean is accused of having treated several Gran Grif members and is now being questioned.
- The Gran Grif and Kokorat San Ras gangs continue to extort drivers by operating illegal toll checkpoints along National Road #1, Haiti’s main northern corridor. The PNH later confirmed it had regained control of the area as of 2 May.
- The PNH killed five Koulou gang members, including the gang’s second-in-command, during a raid in Cap-Haïtien’s Nan Zonbi neighborhood on 3 May. One police officer sustained a gunshot wound, and illegal guns and ammunition were seized.
- Haiti extended the state of emergency for three months during a Council of Ministers meeting held on 30 April.
- In addition, the government announced the launch of a new National Security Agency, which will oversee intelligence and counterintelligence operations to safeguard the national interest.
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns its trauma hospital in Tabarre, Port-au-Prince, may soon reach maximum capacity. Makeshift rooms in meeting spaces are being used to accommodate the overflow.
- The Inter-American Development Bank has raised funding for Cap-Haïtien’s Justinien University Hospital renovation from $85 million to $100 million and signed a $125 million water and sanitation program.
- While residents welcome the support, past failures spark concerns about unfinished or ineffective projects.
- The Haitian Midwives Association (ASFH) provided free medical care during a mobile clinic on 3 May. The ASFH midwives provided essential care to some of Haiti’s most vulnerable women, not just those who are pregnant.
- The Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) uncovered over $1 million in embezzled state funds across several public institutions. Despite the scale of these offenses, Haiti’s justice system has rarely pursued legal action. Only one case has resulted in a conviction in the past 20 years.
Situation on the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT)
- The CPT dissolved its disarmament commission, which was part of a rebooted effort to disarm gangs and reintegrate child soldiers, amid backlash over the reappointment of Jean Rebel Dorcénat, who has been accused of gang ties, delaying the initiative.
- CPT President Fritz Alphonse Jean denied rumors of a possible extension of the CPT’s mandate until 2028 during a radio program on 7 May. He described the claims as part of a disinformation campaign aimed at increasing political instability and creating mistrust among the public.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- The family of missing Kenyan officer Benedict Kabiru, unaccounted for in Haiti since 26 March, says the government has ignored them. Struggling emotionally and financially, they demand answers and have formally written to the Attorney General.
- Kenya and the Dominican Republic signed an agreement on 12 May to support Kenyan officers deployed in the MSS mission. The agreement establishes a Memorandum of Understanding covering medical evacuation and repatriation for wounded or deceased personnel.
- They also called on the international community to fulfill and increase funding for the MSS mission, warning it lacks resources to fight gang violence effectively. The MSS mission remains only partially deployed due to unmet funding pledges.
International situation
- A U.S. State Department plan to label gangs as foreign terrorist organizations could worsen aid delivery, further isolate Haiti, and justify deportations. It lacks a clear strategy and risks exacerbating the country’s humanitarian crisis, say lawmakers.
- The Trump administration designated the Viv Ansanm and the Gran Grif gangs as terrorist groups, citing threats to U.S. national security.
- The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to reinstate its plan to end the humanitarian parole program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), which has allowed over 500,000 people from those countries to stay in the U.S. for up to two years.
- A federal judge blocked the mass termination, requiring case-by-case reviews instead. The administration argues this oversteps judicial authority and harms immigration enforcement efforts.
- The Dominican Republic deployed 800 additional soldiers to its border with Haiti on 13 May, in addition to the 300 sent earlier this month. An estimated 13,000 to 15,000 troops are currently stationed along the border.
- Senator Shaheen urged Secretary Rubio to restore funding and support for the MSS mission, warning that, without stronger U.S. leadership, gang violence and state failure could worsen, threatening regional stability and U.S. interests.
Links of interest
Gangs strike twice in one week in Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, sending residents fleeing across the river
Haiti – Armed gangs violence prompting more killings and displacement
Cap-Haïtien anti-gang raid kills five gang members, injures police officer
Haiti to hit pause on rebooting of a commission to disarm violent gangs
Violence in Port-au-Prince pushes last trauma hospitals to the brink
Création d’une Agence nationale de sécurité et prolongation de l’état d’urgence pour trois mois supplémentaires en Haïti
IDB boosts Cap-Haïtien hospital funding to $100M amid Haiti’s healthcare collapse
Haitian midwives at bedside of women displaced by gang violence
Haiti anti-corruption unit uncovers nearly $2M in embezzled public funds
Agony and silence: Family of missing police officer in Haiti demands answers
Fritz Jean dément les rumeurs sur la prolongation du mandat du Conseil présidentiel de transition
Dominican Republic, Kenya sign agreement supporting Haiti security mission
Dominican Republic, Kenya call for funds for struggling Haiti security effort
Rubio’s plan to designate Haiti’s gangs as terrorists could deepen humanitarian crisis
Trump administration designates Haiti’s powerful armed gangs as foreign, global terrorists
Trump administration loses appeal in bid to revoke parole for Cubans, other migrants
Trump administration seeks end to temporary legal status for over 500,000
Trump asks Supreme Court to reinstate revocation of parole for Cubans, other migrantsHaiti – FLASH : The Dominican Republic sends 800 soldiers as reinforcements to the border
Top Democrat in Senate Foreign Relations Committee urges Rubio to prioritize Haiti crisis
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