Haiti Report, August 27, 2025
A compilation of news about Haiti from the past week.
Lack of results leads the United States to seek an overhaul of the Multinational Security Mission
Since Donald Trump came to power, this is one of the rare times the United States has spoken out about the mission deployed in Haiti to fight gangs. Henry Wooster, the US chargé d'affaires, acknowledged the limitations of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS), highlighting its lack of personnel and resources. Washington is now calling for a "recalibration" of the mission. The goal: to transform it into a different structure, truly capable of restoring security. According to the diplomat, the Kenyans, who are leading the mission, "have done everything that was asked of them," but the results remain insufficient.
The United States says it has already invested $835 million in the MMAS , in addition to $248 million granted to the Haitian police since 2021. But it no longer wants to bear this burden alone. Henry Wooster calls on the UN and its member states to fund a future support office to coordinate security efforts. The diplomat assures that Haitian authorities are involved in the discussions, including within the framework of the Organization of American States (OAS), where a security roadmap is being prepared. Henry Wooster affirms: "The era of impunity is over." And he sums up the American position with this sentence: "Haiti's stability is important to the United States, but the country's future remains in the hands of Haitians.” https://www.rfi.fr/fr/am%C3%A9riques/20250825-ha%C3%AFti-faute-de-r%C3%A9sultats-les-%C3%A9tats-unis-veulent-une-refonte-de-la-mission-multinationale-de-s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9
PNH and MSS Regain Control of Téléco Site in Obléon
The telecommunications antenna station commonly known as “Téléco,” which had been occupied for several days by bandits, was retaken on Monday, August 25. Early that morning, a joint operation by the police and the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) drove the criminals out. In an interview with Le Nouvelliste, Kenscoff mayor Massillon Jean revealed that the intervention by the security forces succeeded in repelling the criminals. “Weapons and ammunition were seized. The bandits were driven out of Morne Tranchant, Tèt Bwapen, and the Sainte Hélène orphanage. Some bandits were killed. This afternoon, a team from city hall was able to collect four bodies of bandits,” Massillon Jean reported.
According to a press release issued by MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka, heavy losses were inflicted on the bandits. “The security forces conducted a methodical sweep, going door to door to neutralize pockets of armed resistance. Several individuals attempting to flee or hide were apprehended, while a large cache of weapons and other materials was seized and is now under the custody of the PNH,” the text stated.
“As part of this operation, the MSS and PNH teams also cleared the roads leading to Kenscoff, which the gangs had barricaded, thereby restoring free circulation for local communities. The leadership of the MSS and the PNH expressed their gratitude to the residents of Kenscoff for their cooperation and resilience, assuring them of continued protection and renewed efforts to restore peace and stability in their communities,” the statement concluded. In a press release published Monday evening, the PNH also reported on a large-scale operation in Kenscoff. “This operation aimed to regain control of the site of vital importance to the Nation, TÉLÉCO, illegally occupied and taken hostage by the armed group Viv Ansanm. The security forces, together with MSS contingents, now occupy the site, which is secured and under permanent protection. This action demonstrates the determination of the national and international authorities to defend the country’s essential infrastructure and protect the population,” the police stated. Reached by phone earlier, Kenscoff mayor Massillon Jean confirmed to Le Nouvelliste that the intervention by the security forces had succeeded in recovering the site. “Several bandits were killed. The police and the MSS destroyed the criminals’ hideouts. The operations are continuing,” he explained to the newspaper.
https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/259239/pnh-and-mss-regain-control-of-teleco-site-in-obleon
The Haitian National Police (PNH) presented a report on the operations carried out by the institution during the night of August 24–25, 2025, following the takeover of the Teleco site by bandits from the “Viv Ansanm” coalition. This operation allowed the PNH to regain control of the telecommunications antenna station commonly known as Teleco. Several bandits were killed, and weapons, ammunition, and equipment were recovered by the security forces in the course of the operation. Michel-Ange Louis Jeune stated that the security forces recovered a total of six assault rifles of various calibers, 1,524 rounds of assorted ammunition, and three grenades. Among the rifles recovered by the PNH were: one Kalashnikov AK-47, three modified M16 rifles with erased serial numbers preventing traceability, one M4 Bushmaster of American manufacture, and one Galil AC-22 of Israeli manufacture, which was PNH property. The PNH spokesperson assured that investigations would be conducted to determine the circumstances in which this weapon was diverted. Divisional Commissioner Michel-Ange Louis Jeune also mentioned the seizure of 17 magazines of various calibers, including six M4 magazines (5.56 caliber), one AK-47 magazine (7.62x39 caliber), two Galil AC-22 magazines (5.36 caliber), seven M14 magazines (7.62x51 caliber), and one 9mm pistol magazine. Several cartridges and other equipment were also seized by the police institution: 727 rounds of 5.56x45 caliber, 796 rounds of 7.62x39 caliber, one .50 caliber cartridge from a war weapon, two Motorola EP450 communication radios, one Diwat EP67 model radio, and three unidentified tear gas grenades. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/259299/kenscoff-police-operation-gang-members-killed-arsenal-confiscated
Six People Killed in Latest Gros-Morne Gang Assault
The commune of Gros-Morne was once again the target of gangs on Sunday, August 24, 2025. The toll is heavy: according to the latest information, at least six people were killed and an entrepreneur, Widner Gédéon, who was shot, was abducted and held captive. According to the mayor of the commune, Hubert Cénéac, the acts of violence began with heavy gunfire in the downtown area around 2 p.m.“ They attacked various streets in the city center—Palais, du Centre, Salomon, and de Bogne streets—where at least six people were killed. In the process, entrepreneur Widner Gédéon, wounded by gunfire, was taken away by gang members,” declared the mayor. Despite repeated pleas from his family, the hostage has not been released, and his health condition is of serious concern. This bloody episode is unfortunately not an isolated incident. It is the second major attack in less than twenty days suffered by the commune. On August 6, the same gang had already struck, killing two people and seriously wounding another by gunfire. This repetition of violent acts within such a short time confirms a deliberate strategy of intimidation and territorial takeover by force.
https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/259259/six-people-killed-in-latest-gros-morne-gang-assault
IOM Reports 26 New IDP Sites Created by Gang Violence
Between June and July 2025, the number of sites rose from 246 to 272, an increase of 26 sites, the IOM noted, specifying that these new sites were mostly created in the commune of Belladère (20 new sites hosting 1,743 people). This increase is mainly due to displacements caused by armed attacks in the Centre department, where the number of sites rose from 86 to 104, an additional 18 sites. At the same time, the number of IDPs in sites in this department increased from 7,760 to 10,048, a 29% rise.
However, the IOM noted that the overall number of IDPs has decreased by 2.4% despite the increase in the number of sites. This is explained by the fact that three sites in the capital, which hosted more than 6,500 people, were closed following a relocation program organized by government institutions. Furthermore, the IOM pointed out that the Ouest department remains the one hosting the largest number of IDPs living in sites, followed by the Centre and Artibonite departments. “The commune of Port-au-Prince alone hosts 68% of IDPs living in sites, or 142,292 IDPs spread across 54 sites. In the provinces, the Centre department hosts 5% of IDPs living in sites, or 10,048 IDPs in 104 sites, mainly in the communes of Hinche, Boucan Carré, and Belladère. The Artibonite department hosts 5,373 IDPs in sites (3%) across 36 sites, particularly in the commune of Verrettes,” the IOM reported. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/259253/iom-reports-26-new-idp-sites-created-by-gang-violence
OAS Unveils New Roadmap for Peace and Stability in Haiti
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert R. Ramdin, presented to the Permanent Council on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, a roadmap consisting of five pillars spanning from 2025 to 2028, with a total estimated cost of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars. This time, unlike the first draft, it allocates 1.336 billion for stabilization and peace, 908.2 million for humanitarian response…, with the aim of “bringing concrete solutions to the serious security and institutional crisis Haiti is going through, while strengthening the coordination of international and regional cooperation,” according to an OAS press release.
Details of the pillars
Stabilization of security and restoration of peace includes immediate measures to secure corridors and key infrastructure, followed by the reconstruction of the Haitian National Police, judicial reform, and the dismantling of transnational criminal economies. Estimated cost: 1.336 billion U.S. dollars.
Political consensus and support for governance must address the need for political legitimacy alongside security. This pillar aims to guide Haiti’s transition to stable, inclusive, and accountable governance, laying the foundations for a new constitution and democratic renewal beyond the February 7, 2026 deadline. This process will prioritize inclusivity, transparency, and the development of a governance framework with broad support. These efforts build on the leadership and previous work of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). The OAS will accompany CARICOM in providing coordinated support and technical assistance to organize a national dialogue with diverse participation. Estimated cost: 8 million U.S. dollars.
The electoral process and institutional legitimacy provides for supporting the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and the National Identification Office (ONI) in order to guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections. Estimated cost: 104.1 million U.S. dollars.
The humanitarian response provides for vital assistance in food, water, health, education, and housing, while strengthening community resilience and the protection of dignity. Estimated cost: 908.2 million U.S. dollars (UN data).
Sustainable development and economic progress provides for restoring basic services, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), developing infrastructure, and fostering social protection systems. Estimated cost: 256.1 million U.S. dollars (IDB data), according to the OAS release.
Estimated budget of the draft roadmap
The total estimated cost for implementing the roadmap from 2025 to 2028 amounts to 2.6 billion U.S. dollars, to be shared among international partners, according to a previous OAS communiqué.
https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/259107/oas-unveils-new-roadmap-for-peace-and-stability-in-haiti
Days after unveiling an ambitious $2.6 billion roadmap for Haiti, Ramdin is defending his rescue plan’s lofty price tag and goals and laying out an argument on why security intervention alone isn’t enough to address the crisis in Haiti, where governance, human rights and democracy are all under assault. Ramdin unveiled his sweeping plan last week before foreign ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean, whose nations make up the Washington-based agency’s 35 members. On August 27, he will hold a series of bilateral talks in hopes of getting the political support needed to launch the effort. The discussions will culminate with a 2p.m. “Group of Friends of Haiti” meeting in which Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé will be present.
Getting Haiti’s leadership onboard is not the only challenge the plan faces. It has received both praise and skepticism, as supporters like Panama and Antigua and Barbuda acknowledged the urgency and “scale of Haiti’s crisis” but also raised concerns about funding, coordination and the absence of Haitian-led planning. Critics say the plan is overly ambitious and fear that, absent real commitment from donors, the initiative will join an already long list of unfunded international interventions in Haiti. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article311830732.html#storylink=cpy
New Commander for Artibonite Directorate of Police
Divisional Commissioner Jacques Ader was officially installed on Saturday, August 23, 2025, replacing Jean Frenel Beauvoir. The ceremony was held at the Toussaint Louverture police station, under the direction of Inspector General Joany Canéus, in the presence of the outgoing director, several senior police officials, departmental authorities, and representatives of civil society. Jean Frenel Beauvoir, who had taken up this post barely a month earlier on July 24, 2025, was transferred to other functions without having had the chance to truly begin his work in a department marked by a resurgence of armed violence. In his remarks, he welcomed the appointment of his successor, whom he described as a “former partner in field combat in the capital,” and handed him a document containing operational plans developed for the region. Even before his appointment, there had been strong expressions of support for Commissioner Ader on social media, particularly in Lower Artibonite. His popularity stems from his role in earlier operations that led to the death of Savien gang leader Odma Louissaint, which had significantly weakened criminal activity in the area. https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/259222/jacques-ader-assumes-command-of-artibonite-police-commits-to-firm-action-against-gangs
Lascahobas continues to fight armed groups
Since July 3, 2025, the town of Lascahobas, located in the central lowlands, has been the scene of a sustained offensive by armed gangs. So far, law enforcement and community brigadiers have been able to adopt an effective defensive strategy, preventing terrorists from invading the town. But they have not yet managed to completely eliminate the danger. Local actors involved in the Lascahobas resistance have made a non-exhaustive inventory of their needs. To completely eliminate the danger, they are calling for aerial cover using drones, given the dispersal of armed gangs trying to bypass local resistance points.
The security forces involved in the resistance are primarily requesting additional personnel, appropriate weapons and equipment, and additional armored vehicles. They are also requesting 7.62 caliber cartridges for their assault rifles, as well as medical equipment, including a vehicle capable of quickly evacuating the wounded to an operational health center to provide first aid.
Fortunately, the commune of Lascahobas benefits from the support of a neighboring commune, Belladère, the Croix-Fer district, and other surrounding areas, which are also under threat from armed gangs should Lascahobas lose the battle. The local diaspora also contributes financially, as do local leaders and entrepreneurs, who provide significant logistical and financial support. Lascahobas residents are calling on the central government to assume its responsibilities so that the city can regain peace and serenity. They are imploring the authorities to pay police officers' hazard pay and support local institutions to allow them to resume their activities. This would help prevent greater economic losses and the establishment of a permanent climate of fear and anxiety. https://lenouvelliste.com/article/259240/offensive-des-gangs-armes-lascahobas-et-ses-allies-resistent
In US custody, Reginald Boulos argues he’s a US citizen
A Florida federal judge ordered the Trump administration Tuesday to explain why it is detaining a well-known Haitian businessman and former Haiti presidential hopeful whose shocking arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last month continues to reverberate among Haitians. Pierre Reginald Boulos, who was back in immigration court on Tuesday, was arrested on July 17 at his home in Palm Beach County on an immigration violation. But the Trump administration has accused him in public statements and on social media of being “engaged in a campaign of violence and gang support that contributed to Haiti’s destabilization.” His family has denied the allegations. Ahead of his latest appearance in immigration court, Boulos’ attorneys filed suit against the U.S. government in the Miami federal court challenging his ongoing detention at the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami, asking a federal judge to order the government to explain why he’s being detained.
In his petition, Boulos claims he has been “unlawfully detained” by immigration authorities. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered the Department of Homeland Security “to show cause” by Sept. 2 “why” his petition “should not be granted,” according to her order issued Tuesday. Bloom’s order came as Boulos, 69, made his appearance before an immigration judge at Krome. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, he appeared on video due to his cell block being under quarantine. Boulos’ attorneys said the State Department had failed to follow its own procedures on revoking his U.S. citizenship after Boulos made his intentions known in 2008. Documents were either missing or lacked the necessary official seals, said attorney Richard Jurgens, with the law firm Candela, Eig & Jurgens. The documents that have been submitted, Jurgens said, “are inherently flawed and do not show the Department of State followed its own rules in reference to renunciation.” “Dr. Boulos continues to be a United States citizen,” he said, as he insisted Boulos was not removable from the U.S. on immigration grounds.
Fake ID cards are on the rise in Haiti
Citizens and fraudsters are printing their own identification cards, which they use to receive money transfers, carry out banking transactions, and potentially cast votes in upcoming elections. This practice is spreading in a context of insecurity, where people intercepted without their ID risk being killed, while the ONI often delays issuing or reprinting the document. For this article, AyiboPost spoke with half a dozen people aware of or involved in the practice, including an ONI official. They help shed light on the danger posed by the striking resemblance of the fake cards to the official documents. https://ayibopost.com/fake-id-cards-are-on-the-rise-in-haiti/
What is the future of medical residency in Haiti?
The hospital residency, the place where medical specialists are trained, is going through dark days since the closure of the main teaching hospitals. In reality, it is less the difficulties than the absence of a real plan to limit the damage that worries young doctors and medical students. The insecurity that has plagued the country for at least six years has caused the exodus of a large number of specialists, particularly in rare fields such as pulmonology, anatomical pathology, otorhinolaryngology, etc. “More than 22% of the doctors trained by the University Hospital of Mirebalais have left the country,” the University Hospital of Mirebalais, heavily involved in specialist training, warned in March 2023. To make matters worse, today the main training centers for specialists are under severe strain, and no rescue plan is visible on the horizon. The State University Hospital of Haiti, before its closure, was the largest teaching hospital in the country. This hospital received about 200,000 patients per year, hosted more than 500 medical students in internships, and no fewer than 56 residents in different specialties, with the widest variety in the country.
After its closure following an armed attack in downtown Port-au-Prince on February 29, 2024, hundreds of medical students are struggling between unsuitable health centers and the University Hospital La Paix (HUP), overwhelmed by events. Interns are housed at the University Hospital Justinien (HUJ). As for residents, there have been rotation efforts that are not sustainable. A majority of residents have been left without a place of training since February 2024, and a cohort recruited in September 2024 never even began their specialty. For the 2025–2026 academic year, as of August 15, 2025, no note, no announcement suggests any resolution. On the side of resilience, there is the University Hospital La Paix, which hosts about thirty residents, and the University Hospital Justinien, which hosts about fifteen.
https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/258989/what-is-the-future-of-medical-residency-in-haiti
Mental Health: The Blind Spot of the Haitian Health System
On a stifling July morning, the heavy silence enveloping the Mars & Kline Psychiatric Center and the Défilé de Beudet Hospital speaks volumes. Behind the cracked walls of these institutions, nestled in the heart of the Haitian capital and the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, an invisible tragedy is playing out: that of mental health left completely abandoned, in a country ravaged by endless crises. Apart from a few private centers, there may be nothing left of these two public institutions dedicated to the psychiatric and psychological care of more than 11 million Haitians. Together, they have approximately 200 inpatient beds for an estimated population of over 11 million, or approximately 1.7 beds per 100,000 people. In comparison, the WHO recommends an average of 50 beds per 100,000 inhabitants.
https://lenouvelliste.com/article/259112/sante-mentale-langle-mort-du-systeme-sanitaire-haitien
Updated addresses of public institutions in Port-au-Prince
For over a year, repeated gang attacks in the capital, Port-au-Prince, have forced several public institutions to abandon their premises. Ministries, directorates-general, and other state agencies have been forced to relocate to other areas, primarily Delmas and Pétion-Ville. Urgently relocated, most of these public offices now occupy rented buildings, often unsuitable, or share premises with other institutions. However, these moves were made without any real communication to the public, leaving many citizens uncertain about the exact address of these essential services, as revealed in an AyiboPost article published last July. It is to fill this information gap that AyiboPost is undertaking to make public the new addresses of these institutions. https://ayibopost.com/adresses-actualisees-des-institutions-publiques-a-port-au-prince/