Since March 2026, the area known as ‘the Cul-de-Sac plain’ and several neighborhoods in the town of Cité Soleil have seen a rise in armed violence.
Since March 2026, the area known as ‘the Cul-de-Sac Plain’ and several neighborhoods in the Cité Soleil commune have seen a surge in armed violence. Clashes between gangs have taken place in a context marked both by a reshuffling and weakening of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition and increased pressure from security forces in other parts of the capital.
Between March 6 and July 31, 2026, at least 613 people were killed and 375 others injured, mostly during confrontations between the criminal gangs of the Viv Ansanm coalition in the Cul-de-Sac Plain and several neighborhoods of Cité Soleil, according to a statement accompanying BINUH’s 33-page ‘Flash Report’ on August 6, 2026.Among the victims, more than a third were people not associated with gangs, including 111 women and 77 children. More than 176 women and girls were victims of rape by gang members, including gang rapes, often as a form of “punishment” for living in areas controlled by rival gangs, according to this statement.
“The particularly heavy human toll of gang clashes in recent months in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area highlights the urgent need for stronger protection of the population, including giving the Gang Enforcement Force (FRG) the resources necessary for its full and rapid deployment,” emphasized the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti and Head of the BINUH, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, as cited in this statement.Gangs also targeted public and private buildings, causing most business activities and basic services in the neighborhoods affected by the violence to be suspended, including schools and health services. The humanitarian and socio-economic impact has been significant, with more than 18,000 people forced to relocate, according to this statement.
This level of clashes between gangs and human rights violations had not been seen in this part of the capital since January and February 2024, the statement highlighted.
Yet, this area remains highly coveted by gangs, as it hosts several commercial businesses and is crossed by two strategic roads that allow trucks coming from the capital’s container port and the Varreux oil terminal to reach the main highway connecting the north of the country.In this context, the persistence of a high level of violence in the Cul-de-Sac Plain and in Cité Soleil, along with the lack of a lasting police presence, has had serious consequences on human rights, economic stability, and state authority, according to this statement.
The BINUH also reiterates the need to strengthen the operational capacities of the Haitian security forces, ensure effective protection of the population, and fight impunity for human rights violations.The BINUH also emphasizes the crucial importance of continuing efforts to ensure the full deployment of the Gang Task Force (GTF), according to its mandate, by providing it with the necessary personnel, equipment, specialized capabilities, and financial resources. This presence is essential to regain control over areas affected by gangs, protect the population, and create the conditions needed to restore state authority in the areas most affected by violence, according to this statement accompanying the report that documents the facts.Chilling timeline of events
In early February, the Tokyo gang set up in Village de la Renaissance after being kicked out of their base in Delmas by security operations. This move faced opposition from the Chen Mechan, Pierre VI, and Terre Noire gangs, but was supported by the 400 Mawozo and Canaan gangs, who wanted to expand their influence in the area. Between March 6 and 11, this violence left at least 74 dead and 76 injured. Following these clashes, Chen Mechan joined the alliance of 400 Mawozo and Canaan.
On March 28, a private military company launched 4 explosive drones at a house where the leader of the Canaan gang was staying, killing 9 people associated with the gang. A lull was observed between April 12 and 18, after mediations carried out by companies from La Plaine du Cul-de-Sac.During this first wave of violence, 111 women and girls, the youngest being barely 10 years old, were victims of rapes and gang rapes committed by gang members. Between April 19 and 22, the violence escalated again, causing at least 117 deaths and 125 injuries.
On April 20, a UTAG patrol intercepted a minibus carrying members of the 400 Mawozo in Sarthe, killing 12 of them in a shootout.
Between April 23 and May 9, the violence calmed down. However, it still resulted in 22 deaths and 2 injuries.
Between April 19 and May 9, 46 women and girls aged between 21 and 55 were victims of rapes and gang rapes committed by gangs.
Violent clashes resumed between May 10 and 13, causing at least 147 deaths and 75 injuries.Between May 14 and 21, a new lull was observed. However, 10 people were killed and 6 gang rapes documented.
On May 20, a ‘truce’ was reportedly reached between the gangs, though no agreement was made on the withdrawal of the Tokyo gang from the Village of Rebirth.
At the beginning of June, tensions between the gangs continued.
On June 13, at least 61 people were killed and 20 others injured during an attack on a ‘rara’ procession celebrating the World Cup match between Haiti and Scotland.
A cycle of violence then developed between the gangs, resulting, between June 14 and 20, in 45 deaths and 25 injuries, while 13 people were abducted by the Wharf Jérémie gang.
Several police operations were carried out from June 15. During these, 10 people were killed and eight others injured.Nevertheless, clashes between the Belekou and Wharf Jérémie gangs continue and even spread toward the Varreux oil terminal. Between June 19 and 22, these violences result in 20 deaths and 26 injuries, most of them caused by stray bullets.
Although the intensity of the clashes decreases starting June 23, tensions remain high. From then until July 31, 44 people are killed in Cité Soleil, most of the victims being targeted because they were suspected of supporting rival gangs or accused of breaking rules set by the gangs.Response from Law Enforcement
Since the start of the clashes on March 6, 2026, at least 20 law enforcement operations aimed at restoring security have been documented in La Plaine du Cul-de-Sac and Cité Soleil.
They took place between March 28 and July 12. Most of these operations were carried out on the ground by specialized units of the PNH, including the Motorized Intervention Brigade (BIM), the Departmental Operations and Intervention Brigade (BOID), the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), the Departmental Order Maintenance Unit (UDMO), the Temporary Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG), and the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT). One operation was also conducted on March 28 by a private military company using explosive drones, targeting a building housing gang members in Canaan (Croix-des-Bouquets).The Gang Repression Force (FRG), not yet fully deployed, has been carrying out regular patrols in certain areas of Cité Soleil, but hasn’t taken part in operations against gangs.
As part of these operations, at least 55 people were killed (44 gang-related individuals and 11 others not associated with gangs) and 41 others were injured (22 gang-related individuals and 19 others not associated with gangs).
While most of the gang-related people were killed or injured in shootouts with the police or by explosive drones, the non-gang-related individuals were mostly hit by stray bullets while they were inside their homes.It’s important to remember that any use of lethal force by security forces, including by private companies acting on behalf of the state, must comply with international human rights law and respect the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, non-discrimination, caution, and accountability. The use of potentially lethal force is limited to situations where it is unavoidable to protect lives from an imminent threat, and as a last resort, when other less extreme measures, such as capture or non-lethal neutralization, have been exhausted or deemed insufficient. The state remains responsible for any use of force carried out in its name and has the duty to ensure that any allegation of arbitrary useunnecessary or excessive use of force should be subject to quick, independent, impartial, and effective investigations, and that victims and their families should have access to protection, effective remedies, and adequate reparations, the report reads, which also included some recommendations.What about the recommendations?
The UN mission in Haiti has urged the community to speed up the full deployment of the Gang Enforcement Force (FRG) in Haiti in order to support the Haitian law enforcement in fighting gangs and to help restore lasting security, while respecting international human rights law.
The BINUH report recommends that Haitian authorities, with support from international partners, accelerate the operationalization of the two specialized judicial units, one of which will be responsible for investigating mass crimes, including murders and sexual violence committed by gangs.With the support of international partners and civil society organizations, Haitian authorities must ‘ensure that all victims of abuse committed by armed gangs, especially survivors of sexual violence, have effective access to assistance tailored to their needs, while also ensuring their protection from threats, intimidation, and retaliation,’ among other recommendations.
