Gunfire Disrupts Crucial Meeting of Haiti Leaders Battling Gangs

Gunfire interrupted a crucial meeting of Haiti’s leaders on Thursday in downtown Port-au-Prince, as they gathered at the National Palace to emphasize their efforts to reclaim areas from powerful gangs. Although there were no immediate reports of casualties, an armored vehicle was reportedly shot during the incident.

Meeting Marking a New Era

The meeting, attended by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and other high-ranking officials from Haiti’s transitional presidential council, aimed to approve critical budgets and governance measures. Moments before gunfire erupted, the leaders gathered outside as a police band performed and the Haitian flag was raised, with heavily armed officers stationed nearby for protection.

Symbolic Control Over Port-au-Prince

A government statement issued prior to the gunfire highlighted the meeting as a significant step towards restoring state control over downtown Port-au-Prince, the historical center of power in Haiti. Leaders had largely avoided this area, which had been dominated by a gang coalition called Viv Ansanm, known for its violent influence.

• Government officials aimed to reclaim control over the National Palace area.
• The meeting discussed national security and the 2025-2026 budget.
• After the incident, Jimmy Chérizier, leader of Viv Ansanm, dismissed government claims regarding control.

Chérizier, often referred to as Barbecue, taunted officials via social media, suggesting the gang would challenge any attempts to restore order without their consent. Currently, gangs are believed to control approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince, posing significant challenges to governance and security in the capital.

Government Response

In light of the growing insecurity, Leslie Voltaire, former vice president of the transitional presidential council, led the meeting discussing crucial topics like national governance. He subsequently celebrated the gathering but did not mention the violence in a social media post.

International Support for Gang Suppression

This violent episode occurred shortly after the United Nations Security Council approved the establishment of a gang suppression force designed to counteract the pervasive gang violence in Haiti. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti announced that the United States and its Caribbean allies were collaborating to implement this new force, which aims to replace the currently winding down U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police.

• The new force reflects international efforts to restore order in Haiti.
• U.S. involvement was emphasized as critical in overcoming gang-related issues.

As Haiti grapples with the ongoing challenge of gang control, the recent meeting signifies a potential turning point in the government’s approach to reclaiming safety and governance in the capital.