Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Haiti’s government announced a sweeping security crackdown on Monday, vowing to deploy a “rapid and large-scale mobilization” of police and military forces to wrest control of gang-dominated neighborhoods, as violence paralyzes the capital and fuels a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who also chairs the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN), declared an “unwavering commitment” to dismantle armed groups during an emergency CSPN meeting over the weekend. The plan signals one of the most aggressive state-led campaigns in years to reclaim territory from gangs, which now control an estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince and have terrorized citizens with kidnappings, sexual violence, and blockades of critical infrastructure.
“We will turn the tide of fear back onto the criminals,” Fils-Aimé said in a statement, pledging to restore “peace and dignity” to Haiti. Authorities did not specify timelines or operational details, citing security concerns, but emphasized that retaking gang strongholds and protecting civilians are immediate priorities.
The announcement follows months of escalating attacks, including coordinated gang assaults on police stations, the main international airport, and the country’s largest prison, which led to a mass inmate escape in March. Over 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence between January and March 2024, according to UN figures, while nearly 360,000 Haitians remain internally displaced.
Yet skepticism looms over the government’s capacity to execute its plan. Haiti’s under-resourced National Police force, which has fewer than 10,000 active officers, has struggled to counter gangs armed with high-caliber weapons smuggled largely from the U.S. Previous crackdowns have yielded limited results, with critics accusing officials of failing to address corruption or international arms trafficking networks.
The crisis has also intensified calls for the swift deployment of a UN-backed multinational security force, first approved in October 2023. While Kenya pledged to lead the mission, legal challenges and funding delays have stalled its arrival. Meanwhile, vigilante groups known as “self-defense brigades” have emerged, lynching suspected gang members in grisly street justice that human rights groups warn exacerbates the cycle of violence.
For residents like Marie-Lucie Joseph, a teacher in the gang-ravaged Carrefour Feuilles district, the state’s promises ring hollow. “We’ve heard these plans before, but the gangs always return,” she said. “Without real support, how will this time be different?”
As the government prepares its offensive, aid organizations report worsening hunger and healthcare access, with gangs looting aid warehouses and blocking major roads. The World Food Programme estimates half of Haiti’s 11 million people face acute food insecurity.
Fils-Aimé’s administration insists this campaign marks a turning point. “Failure is not an option,” a senior police official told The New York Times anonymously. “The survival of our nation depends on it.”
