One town, one neighborhood at a time

Since President Jovenel Moïse was gunned down almost five years ago, gangs, have steadily tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince. Despite valiant efforts by the Haitian National Police and Armed Forces and the presence of foreign troops, gangs now control 90% of the city.

Moreover, gangs have consolidated their significant gains by forming alliances, the largest of which is Viv Ansanm (Live Together). They still ruthlessly exploit and enforce their will on the population under their control with the backing of elite Haitian businessmen. At the same time, the gang alliances have evolved to become players in the political arena. They now seek influence over future governance and even a measure of legitimacy. With newfound wealth from narcotics, human, and gun trafficking, along with extortion and kidnapping, the gangs have expanded power and leverage.

The impact of gang control is staggering. Gangs in Port-au-Prince killed 800 people in the first nine months of 2025. They caused the displacement of 1.4 million people–10% of Haiti’s population. Violence against women and girls escalated to 6000 cases in the first six months of 2025. 6.4 million people, more than half the population, currently needs humanitarian support. (International Rescue Committee/Watch Report January 2026)

Time for a new strategy to counter the domination of united gangs

The Haitian police and army have largely battled the gangs in their neighborhood strongholds from inside the capital. Sometimes the Haitian police and army force the gangs to retreat, but they seldom hold gang territory for long. The playbook needs to be flipped. Haitian police and army, along with foreign military support, need to start attacking gangs from outside the city and working their way in toward the center.

Until now, approaching gangs from outside the city would have been difficult. Only around 1000 Haitian police and army actively engage in combat against the gangs, together with some 1200 foreign troops in the city. But with the UN authorized (US supported) “Gang Suppression Force” numbering 5500, Haiti has an opportunity to try a different approach that presents a better chance of victory. The first contingent of the Gang Suppression Force arrives in April.

While the Gang Suppression Force is welcome news, it is imperative that these new foreign troops be used to augment and support Haitian police and army already fighting. Not the other way around. As noted in previous postings, the effort to crush gang control in Port-au-Prince must be led by Haitians. Historically, foreign forces have marched in with a “we know best” mentality that has sidelined Haitians, often resulting in ruinous outcomes. If that happens again, the Gang Suppression Force will fail.

No one can discount the deep complexities of gang influence and operational capabilities that often equal the police and army. But hitting the gangs in the towns and neighborhoods on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince where they have less control and thus more vulnerable has the best chance prevailing. For this approach to succeed, Haitian and foreign forces must develop and agree to a meticulous plan that lays out the tactics and follow-up step by step.

16 steps to defeat the gangs and take back control

Step 1. Set up a “Combined Command” Center where Haitian and foreign forces can plan and coordinate operations, collect and disseminate intelligence, and jointly evaluate success and setbacks

Step 2. ID towns and neighborhoods on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince to the north and east where gang influence and power is weakest. Prioritize engagement with gangs accordingly.

Step 3. Game out various scenarios to anticipate gang responses. Prepare countermeasures as well as logistical support requirements

Step 4. Advance incrementally on one town or neighborhood at a time using heavy firepower. Also use psychological operations to confuse and demoralize gang leaders

Step 5. Secure the town or neighborhood and immediately bring in food and medical aid, including trauma support. Open transport corridors, hospitals, schools, and markets that allow people to resume normal life as much as possible

Step 6. Publicize the success through social media when gangs are pushed out and highlight the benefits of gang removal.

Step 7. Advance to the next town or neighborhood deemed vulnerable and take with overwhelming force. Continue to rack up small but significant wins while pushing remaining gangs members deeper into the city until they are surrounded

Step 8. Detain and interrogate gang members captured. Give lower level gang members, often young teens forced to fight, amnesty and a second chance as appropriate. Prosecute the senior gang leaders, as well as anyone charged with committing violent crimes, and jail them if found guilty

Step 9. Establish a town and neighborhood councils with local leaders–after proper vetting–to resume municipal services assisted by aid organizations.

Step 10. Encourage people who have fled gang controlled areas to return so they can resume life with protection of Haitian and foreign forces. Provide assistance to ease the transition

Step 11. Give paying jobs to people to clean up liberated towns and neighborhoods along with micro loans for residents to restart businesses.

Step 12. Train a small security force of local residents to assist law enforcement with patrols and work with local council to keep gangs from returning

Step 13. Engage US Coast Guard and coast guard units from other nations to work with the Haitian Coast Guard to inspect all incoming ships for contraband. Ensure legitimate cargo offloaded is not delivered to gangs or elite allies

Step 14. Isolate gangs into smaller areas while offering inducements to surrender as Haitian and foreign forces move house to house to root them out

Step 15. Put in place monitoring systems (through the Combined Command) to quickly detect and respond to any reemerging gang activity

Step 16. Implement a longterm plan to recruit, train and equip 5000 – 10,000 additional Haitian police officers and army soldiers to replace the Gang Suppression Force and prevent gang resurgence in Port-au-Prince and other parts of Haiti

Recap

The best way to beat the gangs is to take back the towns and neighborhoods they currently hold, one at a time. Pick towns where gang strength is minimal for visible wins followed by immediate assistance for people. Gradually move toward the center of Port-au-Prince with the objective of squeezing gangs into submission.

A foreign Gang Suppression Force can give Haitian police and army the necessary firepower support to clear gangs from territory they control. But Haitian police and army must lead the way to build local confidence and encourage cooperation for longterm success that puts the nation on a path to recovery.

https://www.rescue.org/uk/article/haitis-gang-violence-crisis-what-know-and-how-help