2026-02-01

The United States Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued an urgent security alert evening January 31 warning of heavy gunfire and ongoing security operations north and south of the embassy and in Croix-des-Bouquets. All US government personnel movements were immediately halted though the embassy remained open for emergency services. American citizens were urged to avoid the area and monitor local media for updates. The alert followed a major Haiti National Police operation in Croix-des-Bouquets targeting the 400 Mawozo gang stronghold with Task Force support. The operation resulted in the killing of multiple high-value gang leaders including Zotolan identified as second-in-command of Carrefour Marassa gang and Ti Pikan another influential member. Security forces recovered a M16 rifle and Kalashnikov during the operation. In response 400 Mawozo fighters launched a retaliatory attack on Tabarre 27 causing civilian casualties and forcing residents to flee their homes. This incident occurred against the backdrop of the PNH announcement January 31 of a nationwide security reinforcement plan for February 2026. The force plans to deploy newly February 01, 2026 graduated officers to priority departments including Artibonite Nord Centre Nippes and Sud-Est and distribute armored vehicles to previously under-equipped departments. However Haitian media noted skeptically that similar announcements have been made before without implementation while gangs continue operations with impunity. The cycle of violence underscores the fragility of security gains and gang capacity for immediate countermeasures even in supposedly secured zones near diplomatic facilities. The security environment remains severely degraded with armed gangs controlling an estimated 80 to 90 percent of Port-au-Prince according to recent UN and UNODC assessments. Gangs exercise effective control over all access routes to the capital including maritime approaches to main ports internal road networks linking north and south and principal land routes to the Dominican border. This territorial dominance enables systematic extortion of commercial traffic generating substantial gang revenue while disrupting humanitarian access and business operations.