Haiti’s Fight for Freedom

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Haitian Police Reclaim Vital Telecommunications Hub

In a significant and rare operational success, Haitian police have announced the recapture of a vital telecommunications hub from heavily armed gangs (Africanews). This victory marks a crucial moment for the new police chief and the multinational mission supporting Haiti. The operation took place at the Téléco site in the Kenscoff area, beginning before dawn on Monday and lasting approximately two hours (Africanews). This site is a critical infrastructure facility, essential for Haiti’s communications and air traffic control systems. Its control is vital because it directly impacts internet services and the ability to manage air traffic, making it a high-value target for those seeking to disrupt the country.

Officers discovered a significant cache of firearms, including automatic weapons with obliterated serial numbers, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition (Africanews). The hub’s seizure by gangs last week had briefly disrupted internet services and air traffic control (Africanews). The successful raid is seen as a declaration of intent from the new commander, André Jonas Vladimir Paraison (Africanews). This action sends a strong message that the police are committed to restoring order and protecting critical infrastructure, even in the face of significant danger.

Multinational Security Support Mission

The Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by Kenya, is actively involved in efforts to combat gangs in Haiti, though challenges remain (Africanews). This UN-mandated international police and military force began in June last year (Sky News). Its primary mandate is to support the Haitian National Police (HNP) in their efforts to regain control from gangs that dominate much of Port-au-Prince (France 24). Hundreds of Kenyan police are in Haiti, along with officers and soldiers from Caribbean countries, as part of the MSS mission (Miami Herald).

Godfrey Otunge, the Kenyan leader of the multinational force, was present at the press briefing and urged the public for patience, promising results (Africanews). However, the mission faces significant challenges. A Kenyan police officer on patrol with the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission was killed in a confrontation with gang members in February 2025 (BBC News, Miami Herald). This incident highlights the direct threat gangs pose to the mission’s operations (Miami Herald). There are concerns that if the international community does not provide more than condemnations, those providing life-saving care, including the MSS, may be overwhelmed and forced to withdraw (Miami Herald).

Gangs’ Destructive Tactics

Gangs in Haiti, particularly the Viv Ansanm coalition, have a history of targeting critical infrastructure and causing widespread disruption and violence (Africanews). The retaken hub was captured by Viv Ansanm, a powerful gang coalition designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. (Africanews). The Trump administration designated Haiti’s powerful armed gangs as foreign, global terrorists (Miami Herald). These gangs are committed to overthrowing the government of Haiti (Miami Herald). Their escalating violence and influence are viewed as a direct threat to U.S. national security (Miami Herald).

In a video, a gang member known as Didi warned the government it had less than a week to negotiate or he would “burn the entire system down” (Africanews). This group has forced the closure of Haiti’s main international airport for months and stormed the nation’s prisons to free 4,000 inmates in 2024 (Africanews). Gang control in Port-au-Prince has led to an almost complete breakdown of law and order, the collapse of health services, and a food security crisis (BBC News). Well-armed gangs control some 80 percent of Port-au-Prince and routinely target civilians (France 24).

The Dire Humanitarian Situation

Despite recent successes, the humanitarian and security situation in Haiti remains dire due to pervasive gang activity (Africanews). The August abduction of eight people from the Saint-Hélène orphanage, including an Irish missionary and a three-year-old child, highlights the ongoing danger (Africanews). More than 5,500 people were killed in gang-related violence in the Caribbean nation in 2024, and more than a million people have fled their homes (BBC News). The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti reported that over 60% of killings and injuries occurred during security force operations against gangs, with another 12% blamed on self-defense groups (npr.org).

Gang violence in Haiti has a profound and devastating humanitarian impact, leading to significant loss of life and widespread displacement. The crisis severely affects the mental health of the population, necessitating urgent and free access to mental healthcare (PMC NCBI NLM NIH Gov). Soaring violence in Port-au-Prince has left at least 150 people dead in a week, bringing the total deaths this year to over 4,500 (France 24). Significant investment is required to ensure free access to mental health care due to widespread financial hardship, indicating the economic strain on ordinary Haitians (PMC NCBI NLM NIH Gov). Mobile clinics must be deployed to reach displaced communities and those in remote areas, highlighting the issue of mass displacement and the challenges in providing basic services (PMC NCBI NLM NIH Gov).

Gangs’ Grip on Infrastructure and Society

Gangs exert control over infrastructure and society in Haiti through widespread violence, intimidation, and direct occupation of key areas. This control leads to severe societal consequences, including mass displacement, a dire humanitarian crisis, and a breakdown of law and order (ReliefWeb). The inability of the police to enforce the law leaves citizens vulnerable, sometimes leading to vigilantism (ReliefWeb). The police force is underfunded and overwhelmed, with limited ability to enforce the law, leaving citizens with nowhere to turn and contributing to societal breakdown (ReliefWeb).

Citizens have resorted to vigilantism, targeting and executing suspected gang members, highlighting the desperate societal response to unchecked gang control (ReliefWeb). This demonstrates the extent to which the rule of law has eroded in many areas. The current gang-related violence in Haiti is characterized by a significant increase in fatalities, with over 4,500 deaths reported this year (France 24). This level of violence is a continuation of a trend where gangs have gained substantial control over the capital, leading to a dire humanitarian situation and a desperate response from the population (France 24).

The Escalating Crisis

The unchecked rise of criminal networks in Haiti is not an isolated crisis but poses a growing threat to the broader region, suggesting an escalating trend (ReliefWeb). The gangs are evolving from localized criminal groups to transnational criminal organizations, indicating a dangerous progression in their scale and impact (ReliefWeb). This evolution makes them even more formidable and challenging to combat. Gangs control about 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince (Miami Herald, Sky News).

The gang’s warning to negotiate within a week, coupled with their history of destructive actions, underscores the urgency of the situation. While the police spokesperson did not disclose casualties or arrests during the recent raid, the human cost of this conflict is undeniably high. The challenges faced by the MSS mission are multifaceted, including logistical hurdles, political complexities, and the sheer operational difficulty of fighting well-armed and entrenched gangs. The international community’s response and support are crucial, but broader diplomatic efforts and aid are also needed to address the root causes of instability and to ensure that security gains can be sustained. The future prospects for Haiti depend on a comprehensive strategy that combines robust security operations with humanitarian assistance and long-term development initiatives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.