Security forces in Haiti have eliminated 16 individuals believed to be members of criminal organizations during a weekend crackdown aimed at restoring order in areas dominated by armed groups. The operation, which unfolded on February 20–21, targeted the Kenscoff agricultural zone, located roughly 10 kilometers southeast of the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to official statements.
The confrontation began in the early morning hours, with authorities deploying snipers and two unmanned aerial vehicles. “Sixteen bandits were fatally wounded,” reported the Haitian National Police.
Criminal factions currently exert influence over approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince, a situation confirmed by international observers. The violence has exacted a heavy toll, with over 5,600 people killed in 2024 alone due to gang-related clashes. The bloodshed persists into 2025, where at least 3,100 homicides have been recorded in the first six months.
What was once a relatively peaceful rural community surrounded by mountains, Kenscoff has become a prime target for these groups since 2025, displacing large numbers of residents. By December of that year, the total number of people uprooted by the violence surpassed 1.4 million, with children making up more than half of that figure, as noted in a joint assessment by international human rights offices.
While police efforts have managed to curtail the territorial spread of gangs in the capital, they have not succeeded in reclaiming occupied areas or dismantling the governance structures the criminals have established. The situation remains particularly dire for minors, who are often coerced into running errands, monitoring security forces, collecting illegal payments, or taking part in violent activities, ranging from property destruction to sexual assaults.
“This is a generation stripped of its innocence and prospects,” stated a senior UN human rights official. “The trafficking of children and the long-term consequences of such abuse are devastating for victims and their families, and they threaten the very stability of the nation.”