Texte extrait du document original pour l'indexation.
S/2024/704*
United Nations
Security Council
Distr.: General
30 September 2024
Original: English
Letter dated 30 September 2024 from the Panel of Experts
established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2653 (2022)
addressed to the President of the Security Council
The members of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to Security Council
resolution 2653 (2022) have the honour to transmit herewith the final report,
submitted in accordance with paragraph 20 of resolution 2700 (2023).
The report was provided to the Security Council Committee established
pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti on 16 August 2024 and was
considered by the Committee on 11 September 2024.
The Panel would appreciate if the present letter and the final report were brought
to the attention of the members of the Security Council and issued as a document of
the Council.
Panel of Experts on Haiti established pursuant to
Security Council resolution 2653 (2022)
* Reissued for technical reasons on 29 October 2024.
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S/2024/704
Final report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti submitted
pursuant to resolution 2700 (2023)
Summary
Both the political and security dynamics in Haiti shifted significantly during the
reporting period of November 2023 to August 2024. Following weeks of
anti-government protests across the country, and in anticipation of the long -awaited
deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission, gangs from the two
opposing coalitions – G9 and G-Pèp – activated the Viv Ansanm alliance in February
2024 and launched a series of coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince.
The reporting period saw a spike in gang violence. Since late February, gangs –
including those led by the five individuals currently included in the United Nations
sanctions consolidated list – staged repeated assaults against government facilities
and critical infrastructure, including seaports, airports and police stations, as well as
banks, businesses and private property. The two largest prisons in the country were
attacked in March, and more than 4,600 inmates escaped, some of whom joined the
ranks of the gangs. The attacks have not only had a substantial humanitarian impact,
killing many, displacing thousands and leaving parts of the population without access
to basic commodities, but have also further crippled the economy and the financial
sector.
This extreme violence contributed to the announcement of the resignation of the
Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, on 11 March, during a meeting facilitated by the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which established a new road map for the
political transition. Since then, despite challenges in building cohesion between
Haitian stakeholders, several significant steps have been taken to implement
transitional arrangements, including the formation of the Transitional Presidential
Council, the appointment on 29 May of Garry Conille – a former Prime Minister and
senior United Nations official – as the interim Prime Minister and the installation of
the new Government on 12 June.
Despite those advancements, gang violence has continued to plague Haiti.
Several parts of the capital remain under attack, and, at the time of writing, gangs
control about 85 per cent of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. Gangs actively
continue to undermine the political transition, including by relentlessly targeting
police and judicial facilities and personnel, in particular in the West and Artibonite
departments, thereby impeding the restoration of State authority and the future
organization of elections. Against that backdrop, self-defence groups have
proliferated, leading to a notable rise in extrajudicial killings and mob lynchings.
The establishment of the Transitional Government and the coinciding initial
deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission in June, signal a potential
revival of State control and a more effective and coordinated response to the violence.
In reaction, although gangs have called for dialogue in the hope of securing an
amnesty, they have violently demonstrated their opposition to the mission and to any
threat to their hegemony. Aside from some infighting, six months on, the Viv Ansanm
alliance still holds, and gangs have expanded their territories to increase revenue from
kidnappings, extortion and drug trafficking. They have engaged in an active
recruitment drive, in particular of children, strengthened the protection of their
strongholds and stockpiled arms and ammunition.
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Despite the strengthening of the arms embargo measures, arms trafficking
continues unabated, as evidenced by the high levels of armed violence in the country
and the new materiel displayed by gangs. Gangs have been increasingly procuring
larger calibre weapons, resulting in more damage and a posing greater challenge to
the police and the mission. In response to the security vacuum, more civilians have
been purchasing weapons, and some private security companies, as well as units of
the Brigade de surveillance des aires protégées, have continued to procure firearms
illicitly, further fuelling trafficking dynamics. The Panel of Experts is looking into
several regional trafficking trends, and the main routes previously reported remain
the same. The effective enforcement of the arms embargo by Haiti and Member States
from the wider region remains critical to achieving any decrease in armed violence in
the country.
Serious violations of human rights persist on a large scale with total impunity.
Gangs continue to launch indiscriminate attacks against the population, killing,
raping, torturing and kidnapping civilians, notably in the West and Artibonite
departments. The surge in the numbers of internally displaced persons and their dire
living conditions exacerbate the risk of women and girls becoming victims of sexual
assault and exploitation. The Panel is particularly concerned about children being
victims of forced recruitment, sexual violence and malnutrition, as well as the
deprivation of access to education and health services. At the time of writing, about
600,000 people were displaced within the country and hundreds of thousands had fled
abroad, including through smuggling networks tied to regional criminal
organizations. With many children and young people out of school and universities,
and skilled people fleeing, the future of the country is at stake.
The recent crisis has exposed connections between the actions of the gangs and
other armed actors and the actions of certain political, economic and security
individuals, and the Panel is looking into the activities of several of them. In addition,
weak security and governance continue to be exploited by cross-border trafficking
networks, involving gang members, to smuggle large quantities of goods into the
country on behalf of Haitian businesspeople who finance the gangs. This deprives the
State of import taxes and facilitates the trafficking of arms and ammunition, as well
as drugs, thereby fuelling armed violence.
For Haitian interlocutors, the sanctioning of these actors, who continue to back
the gangs and threaten the peace and security of Haiti in total impunity, is a major
priority. With the revival of the political process and the deployment of the
Multinational Security Support mission, it is a crucial moment for the sanctions
regime to effectively support the stabilization of Haiti.
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Contents
Page
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
A.
Mandate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
B.
Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
C.
Development of the United Nations sanctions regime on Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
D.
Evolution of the security situation and the political track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
Information relevant to the implementation of the measures decided in resolutions 2653
(2022) and 2700 (2023) and the potential designation of individuals or entities who may
have engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions that threaten the peace, security or stability
of Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
A.
Gang dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
B.
Transnational organized crime dynamics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
C.
Acts that violate international human rights law or that constitute human rights
abuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
Illicit financial flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37
Annexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39
I.
II.
D.
III.
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I. Introduction
A.
Mandate
1.
On 19 October 2023, the Security Council adopted resolution 2700 (2023), in
which it renewed the sanctions regime on Haiti consisting of an arms embargo, as
well as a travel ban and an asset freeze against individuals and/or entities designated
by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) as
being responsible for, complicit in or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions
that threaten the peace, security and stability of Haiti. Currently, the sanctions list
includes the names of five individuals.
2.
The Security Council extended, for a period of 13 months from the date of
adoption of resolution 2700 (2023), the mandate of the Panel of Experts, as specified
in paragraph 21 of resolution 2653 (2022), and further decided that this mandate
should also apply with respect to the measures imposed under resolution 2700 (2023).
3.
The present final report is submitted pursuant to paragraph 20 of resolution 2700
(2023) and covers investigations conducted up to 9 August 2024. The Panel provides
details concerning some of its analyses in the annexes to the present report.
B.
Methodology
4.
The Panel conducts its investigations in a professional and technical manner,
adhering to the principles of transparency, objectivity, impartiality and independence.
The Panel’s methods were in full conformity with the best practices and methods, as
recommended by the Informal Working Group of the Security Council on General
Issues of Sanctions (see S/2006/997). The Panel placed particular emphasis on
transparency and the use of reliable sources, including documentary evidence,
independent verifiable sources and the opportunity to reply (see annex 1). The Panel
takes great care not to disclose identifying infor mation, when necessary, in order to
protect sources, given the extreme levels of insecurity in Haiti.
5.
Following the publication of its final report in September 2023 ( S/2023/674),
the Panel and the Chair of the Committee received information volunteered by and
about a range of actors cited in the report. The Panel reviewed the material and shared
it, along with its observations, with the Committee.
6.
Since its appointment in October 2023, the Panel conducted investigations in
Haiti, as well as fact-finding missions in Belgium, the Dominican Republic, France,
Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico and the United States of America and is grateful for the
support it received from the respective national authorities, as well as from
non-governmental actors. The Panel’s ability to conduct some field inquiries has been
affected due to budgetary constraints, as well as the security situation in Haiti, which
had deteriorated severely since March 2024.
7.
The Panel welcomes the continuous collaboration it has received from the
Haitian authorities. In Haiti, the Panel met with representatives of Haitian institutions,
including the Haitian national police; customs, financial and anti -corruption units;
representatives of the political and private sectors; civil society organizations; former
gang members; individuals living in gang-controlled areas; and other victims of gangrelated violence, including sexual and gender-based violence.
8.
The Panel has sent a range of requests for information to Member States. The
Panel would like to thank those Members States that have responded to its requests
and further emphasizes the critical importance of that information in supporting its
work (see table of correspondence in annex 2).
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Cooperation with other entities
9.
In line with resolution 2700 (2023), the Panel has continued to cooperate
positively with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the
United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), from which it has received great
support. The Panel has also engaged with representatives of CARICOM, including
from the Eminent Persons Group and the Implementation Agency for Crime and
Security, as well as the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights. The Panel also met with the leaders of the
Multinational Security Support task force to give them a briefing on the Panel’s work
and the sanctions regime and to establish channels of cooperation.
10. In line with paragraph 25 of resolution 2700 (2023), the Panel supported the
Secretary-General in his assessment of the progress achieved on the key benchmarks
established in paragraph 24 of the same resolution.
C.
Development of the United Nations sanctions regime on Haiti
11. Following the designation by the Committee established pursuant to resolution
2653 (2022) of four individuals on 8 December 2023, the sanctions list is now
composed of five gang leaders from the West department of Haiti. 1 While that
decision sent a positive message, the effect of the sanctioning remains extremely
limited as gang leaders and the activities of their criminal groups are not directly
affected by the measures. All gang leaders are involved in arms trafficking a nd/or
violations of the arms embargo. The Panel is also monitoring the implementation of
the asset freeze and the travel ban on those individuals and is currently looking into
reports of potential violations of the measures.
12. By significantly enlarging the scope of the arms embargo, from one that only
targeted sanctioned individuals and entities to a territorial embargo, the Security
Council has adopted a key measure to contribute to tackling arms and ammunition
trafficking. However, enforcement of the embargo remains weak, with regular
violations (see sect. II.B.1).
13. The renewal of the sanctions regime in October 2023 was perceived positively
by most of the Haitian population, who strongly expect the sanctioning of additional
actors, in particular those who back the gangs and those involved in arms trafficking.
D.
Evolution of the security situation and the political track
14. Following the announcement at the end of February 2024 by the Prime Minister,
Ariel Henry, that elections would be held no later than 31 August 2025, gangs from
the two opposite coalitions (G9 and G-Pèp), including those led by the five United
Nations sanctioned individuals, announced their intention to topple the Prime
Minister. They reactivated the Viv Ansanm (living together) alliance (see S/2024/253,
annex 1) to carry out coordinated attacks against critical infrastructure (see sect. II.A).
These attacks resulted in the deaths and displacement of large numbers of individuals
and cut off critical supply lines for the population (see sect. II.C).
15. On 3 March, the Government declared a state of emergency, and, the following
day, international flights were cancelled while gangs attacked the airport, which
prevented the return of Mr. Henry to Haiti after a visit to Kenya.
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1
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See https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/2653/materials/summaries .
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16. In reaction to this extreme outbreak of gang violence, on 11 March, CARICOM
convened an urgent meeting in Kingston with Haitian stakeholders and international
partners. The same day, Mr. Henry announced that he would resign upon the
establishment of the Transitional Presidential Council and the naming of an interim
Prime Minister. All parties present in Kingston agreed to establish a transitional
political arrangement that would facilitate a peaceful transition of power through free
and fair elections. 2
17. The 3 April political agreement for a peaceful and orderly transition adopted in
Haiti 3 and the issuance of the executive order of 12 April by the Government 4 set out
the composition and the role of the Transitional Presidential Council, which includes
a wider range of stakeholders than any previous transitional agreements, with seven
voting members from the principal political parties and sectors (Groupe Monta na,
Fanmi Lavalas, Pitit Desalin, RED/EDE/Compromis historique, the private sector
group, the signatories of the agreement of 21 December 2022 and the Collectif des
partis politiques du 30 janvier 2023) and two observing members drawn from civil
society and interfaith groups. Only one woman was included in the Council as one of
the two non-voting members.
18. Mr. Henry resigned as Prime Minister on 24 April, in anticipation of the
installation of the Transitional Presidential Council the following day. Despite the
difficulties the Council has been experiencing in reaching an agreement around
internal decision-making mechanisms, significant steps have been taken, including
the appointment on 30 May of Garry Conille, a former prime minister and former
senior United Nations official, as interim Prime Minister and the installation of the
new Government, on 12 June.
19. While the initial deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission in
June provides critical support to the Haitian authorities in moving forward the
transition towards restoring security and paving the way to national elections, the
nomination of the members of the Provisional Electoral Council, the next key step of
the transition, remains a challenge.
Security challenges to the political transition
20. Gangs continue to deliberately undermine the political transition, including by
relentlessly targeting facilities of the Haitian national police in the West and
Artibonite departments, 5 thereby preventing the restoration of any State authority and
security, a critical prerequisite for free and democratic elections. They have openly
and violently declared their opposition to the Transitional Presidential Council and
the Multinational Security Support mission (see sect. II.A.4). In anticipation of the
deployment of the mission, gangs have engaged in an active recruitment drive (see
sect. II.A), procured weapons and ammunition (see sect. II.B.1 and annex 24) and
expanded their territories to secure more revenue and establish “retreat zones” (see
sect. II.A.4).
21. The initial deployment on 25 June of the Multinational Security Support
mission, with the arrival of 200 Kenyan police officers, was received very positively,
but its precise objectives and scope remain unclear for most of the population, with
__________________
CARICOM, “Outcome declaration of CARICOM, international partners and Haitian
stakeholders”, 11 March 2024.
3
Available at www.haitilibre.com/docs/accord-politique-pour-une-transition-pacifique-etordonnee.pdf.
4
Available at www.haitilibre.com/docs/Decret-portant-creation-du-Conseil-presidentiel-detransition.pdf.
5
As at 30 June 2024, 74 Haitian national police stations were not operational. United Nations
police data.
2
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many hoping that the mission will deploy outside of Port-au-Prince and in the
Artibonite department, to recover gang-controlled territory. At the time of writing,
Haitian interlocutors expressed concern that the mission had yet to show results.
22. The arrival of the Multinational Security Support mission, coinciding with the
establishment of the Transitional Government, signals a potential return to
governance and a more strategic and coordinated response to violence. In reaction,
gang leaders have oscillated between shows of force and calls for dialogue in the hope
of securing an amnesty.
23. Interlocutors of the Panel shared their concerns and challenges on the way
forward in addressing the gang phenomenon. They noted that negotiations with
violent criminal groups mostly motivated by pecuniary objectives are extremely
sensitive and risky and could be perceived both as a sign of political recognition and
the promotion of impunity. Conversely, a purely hard security approach will hinder
the recovery of Haiti. They also highlighted that the judiciary and the prison systems
(see sect. II.C and annex 32) do not have the capacity to process potential mass arrests
of gang members and that the conception of any disarmament, dismantlement and
reintegration and/or community violence reduction programming are very much at
the embryonic stage.
II. Information relevant to the implementation of the measures
decided in resolutions 2653 (2022) and 2700 (2023) and the
potential designation of individuals or entities who may
have engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions that threaten
the peace, security or stability of Haiti
A.
Gang dynamics
24. Over the course of the reporting period, gang dynamics have shifted
significantly, with the two rival coalitions – G9 and G-Pèp – activating the Viv
Ansanm alliance on 29 February 2024 to establish a common front against the
Government (see annexes 3 and 4). Since late February, the capital has witnessed
unprecedented levels of violence, with coordinated gang attacks against key
government buildings and critical infrastructure (see annex 5 and sect. II.D.2).
25. The West and Artibonite departments continue to be plagued by alarming levels
of violence. In the West department, gangs have targeted communes such as Cité
Soleil, Delmas, Tabarre, Port-au-Prince and Croix-des-Bouquets. They also expanded
their control on the outskirts of the capital, notably over southern (Carrefour, Gressier
and Léogâne), eastern (Ganthier) and northern (Cabaret and Arcahaie) communes,
ahead of the commencement of the Multinational Security Support mission’s
operations, to increase revenue. An estimated 85 per cent of the Port-au-Prince
metropolitan area is currently under gang influence and control (see annex 6). 6
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6
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Interviews with gang analysts, June and July 2024. For definition of areas of gang control and
areas of influence, see S/2023/674.
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Source: BINUH quarterly report on the human rights situation, April–June 2024.
Note: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the above map do not
imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
26. The lives of the inhabitants of the entire capital have been deeply affected by
gang violence, hampering the functioning of vital sectors, including security,
education, health, culture and transport. In the Artibonite department, the increased
number of kidnappings, rapes, hijacking of trucks and killings 7 (see sect. II.C) have
prompted renewed calls for the urgent deployment of the Multinational Security
Support mission to the area. 8 Against that backdrop, self-defence groups have
multiplied, as well as extrajudicial killings, including of minors, and mob lynchings.
27. The five sanctioned individuals continue to head the main gangs in Haiti, with
5 Segond, led by Johnson André (alias “Izo” – HTi.002) and Grand Ravine, led by
Renel Destina (alias “Ti Lapli” – HTi.003), currently the strongest in terms of
territorial control, headcount, firepower and revenue. While he might be the most
notorious and vocal gang leader (see sect. II.A), Jimmy Chérizier (alias “Barbeque” –
HTi.001) is not the most powerful. He has lost considerable influence over the G9
coalition (see annex 7), with his Delmas 6 gang weakened by ongoing police
operations and loss of revenue. Of note, Viv Ansanm looted most of the businesses in
Bas Delmas that used to pay Barbeque money in exchange for “security”. 9
28. Meanwhile, the Kraze Barye gang has been less prominent, weakened by the
multiple clashes with an offshoot of the gang, led by “Didi”, who was killed in May
2024, who had opposed the gang’s leader, Vitelhomme Innocent (HTi.005). The gang
was also weakened by several police operations. Kraze Barye has received support
from the 5 Segond and Canaan gangs. The latter, led by Jeff Larose (alias “Jeff”), has
grown in importance largely due to its closeness to 5 Segond and by the fact that the
Canaan area was spared from Viv Ansanm attacks and police operations. In turn, the
400 Mawozo gang, headed by Joseph Wilson (alias “Lanmo San Jou” – HTi 004), has
__________________
Interviews with gang analysts and civil society representatives, June and July 2024.
United Nations police report, July 2024.
9
Interviews with gang analysts, May 2024 and United Nations confidential report, May 2024.
7
8
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strengthened its fighting capacity and boosted its revenue, in particular by extorting
trucks carrying goods to and from the Dominican Republic (see annex 8). 10
1.
Gang violence in downtown Port-au-Prince and nearby areas
29. As the capital’s main administrative, financial and commercial district, the Port au-Prince downtown area has always been at the centre of gangs’ expansionary
ambitions. Since late February 2024, the area had turned into a battlefield. Several
strategic checkpoints were recently established from where gang members could keep
watch and disrupt police operations, with snipers shooting from the tops of vandalized
buildings. 11 For instance, gang members from 5 Segond and Grand Ravine opened
fire, disrupting both visits of the interim Prime Minister to the country’s largest
hospital after it was liberated in early July 2024 from gang control. 12
30. Over the course of the reporting period, the 5 Segond and Grand Ravine gangs –
which in 2022 had started to move towards southern downtown – aggressively
expanded into the areas surrounding the National Palace. Meanwhile, northern
downtown has been under the control of the Krache Dife, Les Argentins and La Saline
gangs since 2021. The area has been strategic for revenue collection through
extortion, truck hijackings and the theft of goods, and kidnapping. Its proximity to
the national port authority 13 also places it in a favourable location for drug trafficking
activities (see S/2024/253). 14
31. The political aspirations of Viv Ansanm came to light through its support to Guy
Philippe and anti-government stance (see S/2024/253). As the takeover of the National
Palace would be a symbolic blow to Haiti, Viv Ansanm has launched at least 10 major
attacks against the Palace since early March 2024. The offensives were backed by
Dimitri Hérard, the former head of the National Palace General Security Unit from 2017
to 2021, who was imprisoned for his alleged involvement in the 2021 assassination of
former president Jovenel Moïse (see annex 9) and escaped from prison together with
4,600 inmates in March 2024. Mr. Hérard tried to encourage others to shoot the security
officers who were resisting the attacks and was in league with Guy Philippe, who
reportedly tried to bribe police officers to allow the gangs into the Palace. 15
32. In a move to disrupt the political transition, Viv Ansanm also repeatedly
attacked, inter alia, the Ministries of Justice, Defence and the Interior, the former
building of the Cour supérieure des comptes et du contentieux administratif and the
general hospital, as well as Haitian national police units, including the Unité
départementale de maintien d’ordre and the Port-au-Prince police station. 16 In a
nearby neighbourhood, Les Argentins (also known as the Bel Air gang), led by
Kempes Sanon, repeatedly attempted to seize control of the Brigade of Operation and
Departmental Intervention, strategically located high up in the national fort, which
would enable the gang to control large parts of downtown. 17
33. In the neighbouring Solino, since February 2024, Barbeque has joined hands
with his former rival, Kempes Sanon, to intensify raids to gain access to strategic
__________________
Interviews with national and international gang analysts, Haitian national police officers and
individuals living in gang-controlled areas, 2024.
11
Interviews with a gang analyst and a Haitian national police officer, June and July 2024.
12
United Nations police report, July 2024 and interview with a gang analyst, a Haitian national
police officer and a government representative working on anti-gang operations, July 2024.
13
The government authority that manages all of the country’s seaports. See
https://www.mef.gouv.ht/directions/og_autonomes.
14
Interviews with a gang analyst and a government representative working on gang-related issues,
June and July 2024.
15
Interviews with confidential sources, June and July 2024.
16
Interviews with Haitian national police officers and a gang analyst, July 2024.
17
Interview with a government representative working on gang-related issues, June 2024.
10
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routes connecting their territories to other areas and benefit from diversified streams
of revenue (see S/2023/674). Gangs have clashed with the Solino self-defence group,
leading to several casualties (see annex 10). In the past, Barbeque enjoyed some kind
of informal arrangement with certain police officers in Solino. However, consistent
attacks by Viv Ansanm against police premises and residences, as well as Haitian
national police operations against Barbeque’s stronghold, have contributed to
undermining that relationship. 18 As a reaction to the increased police pressure, on
9 June, Barbeque claimed responsibility for an attack in which three officers of the
anti-gang tactical unit of the Haitian national police were killed as they were
patrolling in lower Delmas (see annex 11). Barbeque blamed the officers for entering
the area in a private capacity to support the Solino self-defence group. 19
2.
Expansion over southern West department
34. Gangs have sought to expand their territories to increase revenue from
kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking and illegal tolls along route RN2, which
connects the capital to the south. Ahead of the commencement of Multinational Security
Support mission operations, control over southern communes of the West department
provide gangs with rear bases and corridors to other departments (see annex 12). 20
35. Grand Ravine’s cell in Mariani, set up in the Carrefour commune in late 2023 (see
S/2024/253), received reinforcements from the 103 Zombie group, led by Charlemagne
Dorin (alias “Ti Bebe Bougòy”), to extend Grand Ravine’s control over the neighbouring
Gressier commune. 21 Additional illegal tolls were established, and brutal gang violence
broke out in May 2024. At least 25 civilians were killed between 28 June and 1 July
2024, 22 and the police lost control of the Gressier police station on 7 July 2024 .
36. The southern communes of Léogâne, Grand Goave and Petit Goave are currently
under threat from gang incursion. On 20 July, the 103 Zombie group published a video
showing that they had entered Laferronay, a locality in the Léogâne commune,
bordering the Gressier commune. Its mountainous terrain could serve as a strategic
rear base for gang members, as the Police can only gain access to such areas using
aerial capacity. In response, the population of the commune of Léogâne erected
barricades to prevent further gang infiltration.
37. Since February 2024, the Ti Bwa gang, led by Christ-Roi Chery (alias
“Chrisla”), has taken control of the Carrefour commune. There has been no police
presence in the area since mid-May 2024, when two police stations were attacked.
38. As a result of gang violence in the Carrefour and Gressier communes, at least
233 individuals, including gang members and civilians, were killed or injured from
April to June 2024. 23
__________________
Interviews with a gang analyst and a government representative working on gang-related issues,
June and July 2024.
19
Video on file with the Panel.
20
United Nations confidential report; and interview with gang analysts and Haitian national police
officers, May, June and July 2024.
21
United Nations confidential document; and interviews with gang analysts and Haitian national
police officers, July 2024.
22
United Nations data, May and July 2024.
23
United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, “Quarterly report on the human rights situation in
Haiti”, April–June 2024.
18
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3.
Continued gang violence in the Artibonite department
39. Gran Grif, led by Luckson Elan, and Kokorat San Ras, led by Ferdens Tilus
(alias “Meyer”), 24 continued to spread violence in the Artibonite department,
including in the northern communes, which had been previously spared from violence
(see annexes 13 to 15). 25 In a bid to expand territorial control, Kokorat San Ras attacked
the commune of Terre Neuve for the first time in mid-June 2024, killing 11 civilians.
The gang set up a new cell in Mapou Lagond, l’Estère commune, in January 2024.
40. The above-mentioned gangs are closely connected to the Viv Ansanm gangs that
operate in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, notably G-Pèp. During the reporting
period, they carried out indiscriminate killings, burned houses and attacked police
stations. For example, on 11 January 2024, a man was murdered and dismember ed
after resisting Gran Grif assaults. Kidnappings are at alarming levels (see annex 33).
On 18 February, Kokorat San Ras kidnapped 20 passengers travelling in the Gros
Morne commune and demanded US $3,500 to return the bus, besides the ransom for
passengers. Hostages are often tortured and killed if a ransom is not paid. In addition,
gangs repeatedly loot farmland and steal livestock. In response, self -defence groups
have continued to execute individuals allegedly associated with the gangs or
suspected of common crimes. 26
41. Despite a warrant issued for Youri Latortue in January 2024 in relation to charges
related to murder, criminal conspiracy and forgery, he continues to use the Raboteau and
Kokorat San Ras gangs to exert control over Gonaïves and the wider Artibonite region
with total impunity. Latortue has been using “National Security”, his private security
company, to acquire firearms and has been providing materiel to gang members. 27
42. Police and judiciary facilities and personnel in the Artibonite region continue to
be under threat by gangs and their backers (see S/2023/674). In early February, during
anti-government demonstrations in support of Guy Philippe, members of Raboteau
and Kokorat San Ras ransacked the courthouse. Members of the two gangs met with
Guy Philippe, accompanied by armed agents of the Brigade de surveill ance des aires
protégées, ahead of the demonstrations in Gonaïves. On that occasion, a number of
weapons were distributed under the guise of recruiting Brigade agents. 28 Of note,
some agents – who are required to possess a firearm – actively participated in
anti-government demonstrations in support of Guy Philippe (see annex 26).
4.
Strategy against Multinational Security Support mission operations
43. Gangs have largely concentrated their efforts on strengthening the protection of
their zones in order to prevent security forces from entering, including by digging
trenches and erecting barricades along the points of access to their strongholds and
employing scouts and drones to track police movements. Within their zones, they
have placed gas cylinders and prepared Molotov cocktails to use against police during
operations. To intimidate security forces, gangs have broadcast videos showing the
weapons and ammunition that they have recently acquired (see annex 16). 29
__________________
These individuals were recently sanctioned by Canada. See Canada, Global Affairs, “ Canada
imposes sanctions against Haitian gang leaders”, 21 June 2024.
25
BINUH, “Quarterly report on the human rights situation in Haiti”.
26
United Nations confidential reports, 2024 and interviews with civil society representatives, June
and July 2024.
27
Information provided by a Member State and interviews with confidential sources, 2024.
28
Interviews with confidential sources, January and February 2024.
29
Interviews with international and national gang analysts, a Haitian national police officer, a
government representative working in anti-gang operations, and an individual living in gangcontrolled area, 2024.
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44. Some gang members have either fled Port-au-Prince or relocated to hard-toreach areas with a view both to creating new bases and increasing criminal revenue.
While Grand Ravine has moved towards the southern communes of the West
department (see sect. II.A.2), the 400 Mawozo gang has led brutal attacks over the
eastern commune of Ganthier. 30 After the release of a video in which Lanmo San Jou
(HTi.004) boasted about the new acquisition of weapons and ammunition (see
annex 17), the gang took over the town of Ganthier, during a major attack on 21 July.
Several properties were set on fire, including the town police station, which was
further destroyed on 25 July. A new gang cell was set up, and Lanmo San Jou
announced, on 28 July, that Fond-Parisien, a communal section of Ganthier, would be
the gang’s next target. 31 Its aim is to take total control over route RN8 to extort drivers
moving between Croix-des-Bouquets and Malpasse, on the border with the
Dominican Republic, and to facilitate the smuggling of weapons, ammunition and
other contraband across the porous Haitian border (see sect. II.D.3). 32 Of note, with
Viv Ansanm, illegal tolls have multiplied not only along the main roads connecting
Port-au-Prince to other areas, but also on secondary roads and streets in several
neighbourhoods of the metropolitan area. 33 In the northern communes of the capital,
the 5 Segond and Cannan gangs killed at least 10 people and burned several houses
during attacks against the Arcahaïe and Cabaret communes on 6 August, in a bid to
extend control along the Port-au-Prince bay area, presumably to facilitate the
movement of drugs and access to other areas.
45. The fear of gangs extending their areas of control has triggered the spreading of
messages on social networks encouraging the population to acquire machetes to
undertake acts of mob justice against Viv Ansanm members (see annex 18). Acts of
lynching are likely to increase, exacerbating community violence. 34
46. Gang leaders are using the population as human shields, including for potential
upcoming anti-gang operations (see sect. II.C.3). They have organized cash handouts
to ensure residents stay, 35 forbidden the population from leaving and even forced
residents to remain in the houses they have invaded, in order to merge with the
population. 36 Women and children have been installed at the entrances of gang zones
to serve as a protective buffer during police operations. 37 On 24 July 2024, gangs in
Cité Soleil commune, such as Belekou, Boston and Brooklyn, announced a peace
pledge and dismantled the barriers separating their respective areas that had been
restricting the movements of the population (see annex 18), reportedl y to evade police
operations by pretending to be civilians.
47. Gangs have also bolstered their ranks – to an estimated 5,500 members (see annex
4) – mainly with children, aiming at leveraging potential incidents against them to
undermine the presence of the Multinational Security Support mission. 38 Children have
__________________
400 Mawozo started launching attacks over the neighbouring areas of Croix-des-Bouquets
commune, which the gang controls, to expand territory and increase revenue. After taking over the
control of these areas and some sections of Thomazeau commune, in early October 2023, the gang
started progressing over Ganthier commune, launching a deadly attack late November 2023, and
has intensified its offensives since January 2024.
31
Video on file with the Panel.
32
Interview with a gang analyst, July 2024. See also, Jacqueline Charles, “What a gang attack in a
rural Haiti town says about the Kenya-led security mission”, Miami Herald, 26 July 2024.
33
Interview with a representative of the transport sector, July 2024.
34
United Nations confidential report, June 2024; and interviews with international and national
gang analysts and an individual living in gang-controlled area, 2024.
35
Interviews with gang analysts and an individual living in gang-controlled area, May 2024.
36
Interview with a political analyst, July 2024.
37
United Nations confidential report, May 2024; and interview with an individual living in gangcontrolled area July 2024.
38
Interviews with government representatives, Haitian national police officers, national and
international gang analysts, and an individual living in gang-controlled area, 2024.
30
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taken part in attacks, including as scouts, by carrying weapons and ammunition and
even participating in combat. 39 Of note, the current Grand Ravine leaders in Mariani
(Bout Ba) and Gressier (Ti Bebe Bougoy) were recruited as children about 10 years
ago, indicating that today’s recruits are likely to become the gang leaders of tomorrow . 40
48. In addition, escapees from the recent mass jailbreaks have added new skills to
the gangs they have joined. For instance, Dimitri Hérard sought refuge in 5 Segond’s
zone and helped organize, train and advise gang members on strategies for the
coordinated attacks. He facilitated the acquisition of the firearms that were on display
in the propaganda video of the so-called “Unité village de dieu” (see annex 24). 41
Alongside his involvement in drug trafficking, he also provides Izo with connections
to large criminal organizations in the region. 42
49. Despite the increased levels of criminality and human rights abuses, Viv Ansanm
gangs have stepped up their demands for dialogue and media presence, likely with
the aim of improving their public image and articulating opportunistic social and
political narratives to justify their violence. In the light of the announcement by the
Government that firm action would be taken to regain gang -controlled areas, as well
as changes in leadership in the Haitian national police and the deployment of the
Multinational Security Support mission, gangs are motivated by the opportunity to
secure an amnesty rather than pursuing genuine political aspirations. 43
50. The failure by Viv Ansanm to install Guy Philippe as head of the transition
dashed any previous hopes of amnesty, despite the recurrent attacks against the
National Palace (see sect. II.A.1). 44 In that context, on 25 June, the same day that
Kenyan troops arrived in Port-au-Prince, Barbeque (HTi.001) – as the Viv Ansanm
spokesperson – called for talks with the Prime Minister “as a first step to restoring
peace in the country”. On 28 June, the interim Prime Minister urged gangs first to
halt criminal activities, lay down arms and recognize the authority of the State befor e
any other arrangement is made. 45
51. Despite their plea for talks, gangs continue their criminal activities, with
violence at a record high. On 28 June, Barbeque showed up surrounded by armed
men, stating his readiness to fight the international mission. 46 Izo (HTi.002) has also
posted on social media drone images of the Multinational Security Support mission’s
patrols that started in July, in an apparent attempt to intimidate them (see annex 16).
52. The activation of the Viv Ansanm coalition demonstrates an evolution in gangs’
abilities to define, coordinate and operationalize strategies according to their agendas. The
key role they played in the ousting of Mr. Henry is illustrative of this. Regaining gang held areas will be a significant challenge for the new Government supported by the
__________________
Interview with an individual living in gang-controlled area, June 2024. See also, Jérôme Wendy
Norestyl, “Ma vie comme enfant membre de 5 Segonn au Village de Dieu”, 16 June 2024.
40
Interviews with a gang analyst and an individual living in gang -controlled area, June and July
2024.
41
Interviews with confidential sources, 2024.
42
Interviews with gang analysts, Haitian national police officers, an individual living in gangcontrolled area, and a representative of a Member State. See also, Maria Abi-Abib, “Haiti’s
gangs grow stronger as Kenyan-led force prepares to deploy”, New York Times, 21 May 2024.
43
Interviews with international and national gang analysts, individuals living in gang -controlled
areas, a Haitian national police officer and a representative of a Member State, 2024.
44
Interviews with gang analysts, individuals living in gang -controlled areas, Haitian national
police officers and a government representative working on gang -related issues, 2024. See also,
Stephen Eisenhammer, “Exclusive: Haiti ex-coup leader Guy Philippe demands PM resign, wants
presidency”, Reuters, 8 May 2024.
45
United Nations confidential documents, June 2024.
46
Video on file with the Panel.
39
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Multinational Security Support mission, but also a necessary step in the path to
elections.
B.
Transnational organized crime dynamics
1.
Violations of the arms embargo and domestic arms trafficking
53. Arms trafficking continues unabated, as evidenced by the high levels of armed
violence in the country and the new materiel displayed by gangs. As a result of the
security vacuum, a range of informal security provisions also fuel demand for
weapons. This includes civilians increasingly trying to ensure their own security, as
well as the use of private security companies and the multiplication across the country
of units of the Brigade de surveillance des aires protégées, which are not under the
control of the Government (see below).
54. The Panel has been investigating multiple cases of trafficking from the United
States, the Dominican Republic and South America, with the United States remaining
the main source of illicit arms and ammunition in Haiti (see S/2023/674).
(a)
Transnational trafficking trends
(i)
Trafficking from the United States
a.
Trafficking by sea
55. Trafficking from the United States to Haiti is not a sophisticated process. Small
trafficking networks are numerous and often based on family and social connections.
The Panel has been investigating cases where gang leaders have either relied on
accomplices in the United States or pressurized Haitian nationals originally from their
neighbourhoods and now living in the United States to facilitate the acquisition and
transfer of materiel.
56. Methods generally include the purchase of firearms by straw buyers and the
concealment of limited quantities of materiel to avoid detection, including
disassembled firearms, among piles of goods stacked in overpacked containers or
break-bulk vessels (see S/2023/674, annex 29). In April, 26 firearms and 999 rounds
of ammunition were seized in Cap-Haïtien, Nord department. This was the largest
seizure of firearms intercepted at any port of entry in Haiti since the establishment of
the arms embargo (see annex 21). Despite being brought into the country in small
quantities, this recurrent “ant trafficking” quickly builds up, leaving the country
awash with weapons.
57. Trafficking routes from the United States have shifted over the course of the
reporting period due to the near cessation of activity at the main seaports in the capital
since early March 2024, with seizures made exclusively in Cap -Haïtien. While Miami
was the port of departure for most seizures previously reported by the Panel, all those
conducted during the reporting period originated from Port Everglades, Florida,
where some shipping lines provide services to Cap-Haïtien. The Panel visited Miami
and Port Everglades in June 2024 and spoke to a range of actors to better understand
trafficking trends.
58. No seizures were reported from the Miami River during the reporting period
(see S/2023/674, annex 29, for past seizures). This could be explained by the
increased controls in Miami and the fact that only a very small number of shipyards
are currently operating on the river.
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b.
Trafficking by air
59. Evidence of trafficking by air from the United States is rare (see annex 21) but
the Panel continues to investigate several leads. In May 2022, a seizure was made by
the United States authorities of ammunition recovered from a private aircraft heading
from Florida to Haiti. 47 The Panel has requested more information about this case.
60. The presence of multiple informal or clandestine airstrips in Haiti presents a real
opportunity for traffickers, and these, along with flights operated by private aircraft,
should be scrutinized (See S/2024/79, paras. 18–19). However, the limited aerial
surveillance and capability of the Haitian security agencies prevents effective
monitoring of the situation by the authorities.
c.
Outbound seizures from the United States
61. The Panel already highlighted some of the main loopholes exploited by
traffickers in its previous final report (S/2023/674). As arms control experts further
explained to the Panel, due to limited controls over the acquisition and possession of
firearms in the United States, their purchase by malign actors, including straw -buyers,
is very difficult to prevent or detect. Prosecuting traffickers and preventing illicit
exports therefore provide the main starting points for combating transnational arms
trafficking.
62. With regard to export controls, although increased resource -intensive searches
are being applied for containers or break-bulk vessels travelling from South Florida
to Haiti, 48 very few seizures were made between June 2023 and July 2024. These
included some handguns and several rifles, as well as limited quantities of
ammunition 49 (see annex 21). The vast majority of the 200 containers heading from
South Florida to Haiti every week are not inspected, and trafficking continues. In
addition, the use of freight forwarders for shipping allows traffickers to take
advantage of a loosely regulated activity (see S/2023/674, annex 29). It is crucial to
strengthen controls on outbound shipments for Haiti in order for the arms embargo to
be more effective.
__________________
Data provided by United States Customs and Border Protection, 2024.
Interviews with a shipping line, a freight forwarder and a law enforcement officer, Florida,
June 2024.
49
Interviews with a law enforcement officer and a confidential source, June and July 2024; and
data obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request to United States Customs and Border
Protection.
47
48
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d.
Inbound seizures in Haiti from the United States
Table 1
Cases of inbound seizures in Haiti from the United States
Date
Location/provenance
Mode of transport
Materiel
2 December 2023
Toussaint Louverture
Airport from New York
Commercial flight
265 rounds of ammunition
22 December 2023
Cap-Haïtien from Port
Everglades
Commercial vessel
One 9mm handgun
One 5.56x45mm rifle
179 rounds of ammunition
5 April 2024
Cap-Haïtien from Port
Everglades
Commercial vessel
Nine 5.56x45mm rifles
Three 7.62x39mm rifles
14 handguns
999 rounds of ammunition
(7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm,
.40 S&W, 9x19mm)
29 April 2024
11 June 2024
Cap-Haïtien from Port
Everglades
Commercial vessel
Cap-Haïtien from Port
Everglades
Commercial vessel
Two handguns
13 rounds of ammunition
Conversion kit
150 rounds of ammunition
63. The Panel is in the process of investigating the various cases listed above (see
annexes 22 and 23). In the course of its investigations, it interviewed law
enforcement, customs and judicial officers, as well as representatives of shipping
lines and freight forwarders. Since January, the Panel has issued 49 tracing requests
to the United States authorities for details on firearms seized either from gang
members or at ports of entry in Haiti for it to have a greater understanding of the
chains of custody and identify the trafficking networks involved. At the time of
writing, responses were still pending. In July, the Panel also submitted a request to
the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives under the
Freedom of Information Act to obtain data about traces of firearms recovered in Haiti.
The request was not granted.
64. Although seizures of materiel help to build an understanding of the profiles and
modus operandi of some traffickers, their limited numbers reflect neither the levels
of illicit weapons and ammunition entering Haiti in violation of the arms embargo nor
the full range of channels through which traffickers bring weapons to Haiti.
Discussions with senior Haitian customs and police officers indicate that a better
enforcement of the arms embargo in the country requires an improvement of the
security situation, which would make it possible to deploy units to all ports of entry,
increase detection and investigation capabilities and fight corruption within border
control agencies.
(ii)
Trafficking from the Dominican Republic
65. Gangs, as well as civilians and Brigade de surveillance des aires protégées
agents (see annex 26), continue to procure illicitly firearms but primarily ammunition
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from the Dominican Republic (see annex 22 for details about seizures, and
sect. II.D.3) despite the efforts of the Dominican authorities to curb arms trafficking
into their country. From November 2023 to June 2024, 94 firearms and 571,798
rounds of ammunition were seized at Dominican ports of entry, 97.8 per cent of which
came from the United States and 2.2 per cent from Europe and the Caribbean. 50
66. Although a number of past cases indicate that some limited materiel is
trans-shipped directly through the Dominican Republic for end users in Haiti (see
S/2023/674), most of the cases investigated by the Panel indicate that Haitian
networks are procuring materiel from the quantities already circulating illegally in
the Dominican Republic.
(iii)
Trafficking from South America
67. On 30 April, the President of Colombia made a public declaration about
significant diversions of ammunition from Colombian Army stockpiles and
mentioned that it was likely that some missing items had gone to Haiti. 51 Following a
request for information by the Panel in May, the Colombian authorities responded
that, after carrying out investigations, to date they were unable to corroborate the
possible diversion of weapons and ammunition to Haiti. 52
68. In 2023, several AK-pattern rifles recovered in Haiti were traced back to the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 53 Those rifles had been either brought into Haiti
along with drugs or trafficked from the Dominican Republic, where recent seizures
yielded weapons originating from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 54 The Panel
has contacted the Venezuelan authorities to seek further information, and a response
is still pending.
69. Reports of other trafficking activities from South America are currently being
investigated by the Panel.
(iv)
Trafficking from Haiti to Jamaica
70. During the Panel’s visit to Jamaica in May 2024, the authorities explained that
Haiti is a significant source of illicit firearms for the criminal groups operating in the
country. There is a well-established system of exchanging cannabis from Jamaica for
small arms from Haiti, with over 25 very active “guns for ganja” syndicates in
Jamaica (see sect. II.B.2.1). Although prices remain the same as previously reported
by the Panel (18kg of marijuana for a pistol and 40kg for a semi-automatic rifle), with
the scarcity of essential goods in Haiti, guns have also increasingly been exchanged
for food, including meat or charcoal.
71. While it is almost impossible to distinguish firearms transferred illicitly directly
from the United States to Jamaica from those that transited via Haiti, seizures of
firearms with Haitian national police markings provide a clear indicator that weapon s
from Haiti continue to fuel armed violence in Jamaica. Indeed, 47 firearms with such
markings have been recovered in Jamaica to date, mostly handguns. The weapons,
recovered from crime scenes, have been involved in a total of 13 murders. For
__________________
Data provided by the Dominican authorities, July 2024.
See www.orfetv.com/2024/05/02/luego-de-inspeccion-en-tolemaida-y-la-guajira-se-encontroque-hay-mas-de-un-millon-de-municiones-explosivos-y-armas-de-las-fuerzas-militares-perdidospresidente-petro/.
52
Official response from Colombia (16 July 2024), on file with the Panel (translated by the Panel).
53
Interview with an intelligence officer from a regional Member State, 2023.
54
Interview with an intelligence officer from a regional Member State, 2023. Interview with a
security attaché based in the region, 2023.
50
51
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instance, one Galil rifle and two Taurus handguns from the Haitian national police
stockpile were seized by Jamaican authorities in February 2024. 55
(b)
Arms trafficking and non-State armed actors
(i)
Gangs
72. Interviews with eye witnesses and reviews of images and videos posted online
by gangs indicate that they have been increasingly procuring weapons of larger
calibres, including 7.62x39mm and to a lesser extent 7.62x51mm and 12.7x99mm,
resulting in more significant damage, more severe wounds and more casualties, 56 and
posing a greater challenge to the police and the Multinational Security Support
mission. Grand Ravine, 400 Mawowo and 5 Segond continue to be the most prolific
gangs in terms of their ability to procure materiel, the latter having benefited from the
support of Dimitri Hérard (see sect. II.A and annex 24). Gangs have increasingly been
deploying commercial uncrewed aerial systems (drones) to conduct reconnaissance,
identify targets and coordinate attacks. See annexes 24 and 25 for more details on
new materiel used by gangs.
73. Despite the levels of circulation of firearms in the country, demand continues to
grow and prices remain very high, reflecting the amount of cash available to gangs.
Prices are higher in Port-au-Prince than elsewhere in the country as demand there is
stronger and the logistics of getting materiel into the capital adds costs.
Table 2
Price of materiel in Port-au-Prince and other parts of Haiti
Type of materiel
Port-au-Prince
Land border area/north of Haiti
9 mm handgun
US $2 500–US $4 000
US $2 000
AR-type semi-automatic rifle (5.56x45mm)
US $7 000–US $10 000
US $3 000–US $4 000
AK-type rifle (7.62x39mm)
US $10 000–US $12 000
US $5 000–US $6 000
9mm round
US $2–US $3
US $2–US $3
5.56x45mm round
US $5
7.62x39mm round
US $6
Firearms
Ammunition
Sources: Estimates based on interviews with private security companies, police officers and Brigade de
surveillance des aires protégées agents, June and July 2024.
(ii)
Private security companies
74. Despite the arms embargo, some private security companies operating in Haiti
continue to procure weapons and ammunition. 57 Much of the materiel used by such
companies is acquired illicitly and not registered nationally. 58 As with civilians, those
companies that are willing to register their weapons with the police and obtain a
__________________
Interviews with Jamaican officials, May 2024.
Interviews with medical staff working in Port-au-Prince, July 2024.
57
Interviews with clients of several large private security companies, 2024.
58
Interviews with a Haitian national police officer, the head of a private security company and a
former governmental official, 2023.
55
56
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formal license – even retroactively – do so easily and without being questioned about
the provenance of the materiel. 59 During its investigations, the Panel noticed that, in
order to bypass the United States restrictions on transfers of arms to Haiti, some
companies tend to procure materiel directly from firearms producers from Asia.
75. A source who observed the stockpiles of several private security companies in
his official capacity told the Panel about the mismanagement of stockpiles, the
common possession of unregistered weapons, including semi-automatic rifles, which
are both illegal in Haiti, and the number of firearms exceeding authorized limits.
76. According to the Panel’s tracing efforts, weapons registered to private security
companies regularly turn up in the hands of criminals, confirming that those
companies are fuelling the circulation of illicit materiel. While diversions from the
stockpiles of private security companies occur mostly through loss and theft, the
prominent figures that own the companies can also use their own unregulated
stockpiles to arm gangs.
(c)
Arms trafficking and governmental entities
(i)
Diversions from Haitian national police stockpiles
77. Over the past four years, close to 1,000 firearms have been diverted from the
relatively limited Haitian national police stockpiles. 60 In its previous reports, the
Panel raised concerns about the lack of control over arms and ammunition belonging
to the police and the regular diversions taking place that are fuelling armed violence
(see S/2023/674, annex 33). The Panel also highlighted the challenges related to the
management of seized materiel. 61
78. The Haitian national police has a deficient ammunition management system.
Although the main storage facility in Port-au-Prince conducts record-keeping, there
are insufficient accountability mechanisms down the distribution line. Sources within
the police, as well as other first-hand witnesses, told the Panel that some officers sell
their ammunition on the illicit market. 62
(ii)
Diversions from National Palace stockpiles and abuse of official positions for
illicit trafficking
79. Several police units are based at the National Palace to protect the President and
the Palace. 63 Officially, these units fall under the control of the Central Directorate of
Administrative Police, but in reality they are very much autonomous with very little
oversight from the leadership of the police. 64 This autonomy is also reflected in the
management of weapons and ammunition at the Palace, where the Haitian national
police leadership has not been able to perform a stock-check for several years. Palace
stockpiles have been a source of diversions in the past, and the lack of oversight
continues to represent a risk.
80. In total, 54 Galil automatic rifles belonging to the Haitian national police were
diverted from Palace stockpiles between 2013 and 2016, when Pierre-Leon Junior
Saint Rémy, a close relative of President Michel Joseph Martelly’s wife, was in charge
of security at the Palace and oversaw the management of its stockpile. Information
__________________
Interviews with clients of various private security companies, 2023 and 2024; and interviews
with Haitian national police officers, 2024.
60
Confidential source, 2024.
61
Between November 2023 and June 2024, the Haitian national police and the Haitian customs
seized a total of 168 firearms, including 83 pistols and 41 rifles. United Nations police data.
62
Interviews with Haitian national police officers, 2023 and 2024.
63
Unité de securité presidentielle and Counter-ambush team.
64
Interviews with senior Haitian national police officers and current and former employees at the
Palace, 2023 and 2024.
59
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provided to the Panel indicates that these weapons had been transferred to
individuals – including gang members – in return for their support to the President.
Some rifles have since been recovered from crime scenes and gang members in Haiti
and abroad and continue to fuel violence. 65
81. More recently, in November 2020, Laguel Civil, the then -security coordinator
at the National Palace, together with Dimitri Hérard, the former head of the National
Palace General Security Unit, imported more than 200 firearms from a producer in
Asia, including 5.56x45mm rifles and 9x19mm pistols, without any formal
government oversight. 66 Although a small number of rifles were issued to the Haitian
national police in 2020, the rest have been passed on to unknown end users, likely for
financial reward, further fuelling the levels of illicit arms proliferation in the
country. 67
82. The Panel has also received information about the ongoing involvement of
Mr. Hérard in arms trafficking while he is at large (see sect. II.A). In addition to the
procurement of new firearms that he facilitated for Izo (see annexes 24 and 25), there
are reports of collusion with trafficking networks from Latin American countries
which the Panel is investigating further.
(iii)
Brigade de surveillance des aires protégées
83. Under the leadership of Jeantel Joseph, the former director of the Agence
nationale des aires protégées from 2017 to 2024, the Brigade de surveillance des aires
protégées grew into a powerful armed entity outside of government control (see
S/2024/253). According to senior Brigade agents, it currently counts around 6,000
“members” across the country, 95 per cent of whom are not on any formal institutional
payroll. 68 The chain of command is unclear, with bitter rivalries between heads of
brigades located in the same areas, each claiming their legitimacy (see annex 26). 69
84. Although the Agence nationale des aires protégées should be focusing on the
country’s nature reserves, units of the Brigade de surveillance des aires protégées are
found in many cities, where they often perform de facto police work and engage in a
range of criminal activities, including illicit taxation on roads and cross -border
trafficking. Agents are armed with a range of firearms, including 5.56x45mm and
7.62x39mm rifles that have been illicitly acquired. While the criteria for joining the
Brigade include the possession of a firearm, weapons have also been supplied by local
figures and purchased by some commanders with funds obtained in exchange for
protection and from illicit activities.
85. During the reporting period, Jeantel Joseph used armed Brigade agents to
support Guy Philippe (see sect. II.A) in ensuring his personal protection and to foment
violent demonstrations against the Government. Despite his removal from the Agence
nationale des aires protégées in 2024, Joseph maintains firm control over several
Brigade units. 70 On the one hand, Brigade units often fill the substantial security
vacuum, but on the other hand, they are acting outside of State control, with many
Haitians identifying them as a primary threat to the stability of the country.
__________________
Interviews with confidential sources and confidential reports, 2023 and 2024.
Interviews with confidential sources, 2024.
67
Interviews with two senior Haitian national police officers, June and July 2024.
68
Interviews with Brigade de surveillance des aires protégées senior agents, June and July 2024.
69
Interviews with Brigade de surveillance des aires protégées agents and local authorities in three
departments, June and July 2024.
70
Interviews with governmental representatives and Brigade de surveillance des aires protégées
agents, June and July 2024. The Commission of restructuration of the Agence nationale des aires
protégées created in January 2024 by the Haitian authorities is still not operational.
65
66
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2.
Drug trafficking
86. Drug trafficking has been extensively reported as one of the main root causes of
the acute criminality and high levels of violence in the country. 71 Far from being just
local criminal groups, gangs are connected to wider illicit trafficking networks headed
by high-level drug traffickers. Information obtained by the Panel indicates that some
Haitian businesspeople involved in imports and exports, as we ll as civil servants and
former senators, are involved in drug trafficking. 72 Given the complex networks
involved and the high levels of insecurity on the ground, it is impossible to document
the full extent of drug trafficking activity taking place in Haiti. This is further
reflected in the small number of seizures that have been made during the reporting
period: between November 2023 and July 2024, national authorities reported the
seizure of 262.2 kg of cannabis and 10.42 kg of cocaine in Haiti. 73
(a)
Cannabis
87. Haiti is not a significant producer of illicit drugs for export, although there is an
increasing number of cannabis production areas for local consumption, in particular
in the Artibonite region and in certain high-altitude areas located in the far North and
far South of the country. However, many of those areas were destroyed by the Haitian
anti-narcotics brigade (Bureau de lutte contre le traffic de stupéfiants). 74 Haiti
remains an important transit route for cannabis that is trafficked from Jamaica, mostly
destined for the Dominican Republic, mainly for consumption by tourists. 75
(i)
Jamaica
88. Most of the cannabis that enters Haiti is transported from Jamaica and enters
through the south of the country by sea. 76 Despite the operational efforts of law
enforcement, the “guns for drugs” trade that has existed between Haiti and Jamaica
for over two decades continues to thrive. 77
89. This trade has been conducted primarily by established transnational organized
criminal groups and gangs in both countries. In Jamaica, approximately 244 gangs
operate, as well as over 45 “guns for drugs” syndicates, of which at least 20 were very
active in 2023. Organized trafficking groups in Jamaica make at least two trips per
month to Haiti with locally produced cannabis as a currency to obtain firearms.
Although fishers play a crucial role in facilitating this bartering model, increasingly
gangs have been less dependent on them to transact their business. 78
90. The guns for drugs trade is a profitable one. The value of cannabis can increase
10 times in Haiti. Depending on the quality and the geographical location of
production, in Jamaica, one pound of “regular cannabis” costs between J$1,500 and
J$2,000 (approximately US $9.65–US $12.87), while the same quantity in Haiti will
cost between US $80 and US $100. A pistol (9mm) in Haiti can be traded for 40lbs
of cannabis and can cost J$265,000 (around US $1,520) in Jamaica. A rifle smuggled
__________________
Interviews with a Haitian national police officer, regional authorities and political analyst, 2024.
Interviews with a Haitian national police officer, a government representative working on gangrelated issues, a politician, gang and political analysts, an individual living in gang-controlled
area, and civil society representatives, January 2023 to July 2024.
73
Haitian national police data.
74
Interview with a Haitian national police officer, August 2024.
75
See S/2024/79; and interviews with regional authorities, 2024.
76
Interviews with regional anti-narcotic officers, May 2024; and S/2024/79, 2023. See also,
UNODC, “Haiti’s criminal markets: mapping trends in firearms and drug trafficking”, 2023.
77
Confidential report from a Member State, July 2024.
78
Ibid.
71
72
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from Haiti can be traded for 80 to 90lbs of cannabis and can fetch J$500,000.00
(US $3,420) in Jamaica. 79
91. The crisis in Haiti favours the strengthening of transnational criminal networks
between both countries, given their geographic proximity and the porous borders of
both jurisdictions. For instance, in Jamaica, traffickers can use around 184
uncontrolled ports across the island, of which 51 per cent are reported to be active.
According to confidential sources, some firearms transferred from Haiti to Jamaica
have reached Central American States, where they have been traded for cocaine. 80
(ii)
Dominican Republic
92. The cannabis from Jamaica that enters Haiti is mainly transported to the
Dominican Republic by small, well-organized criminal groups, some headed by
Haitians, 81 who represent the second most detained nationality for drug-related crimes
in the Dominican Republic, after Dominicans themselves. In 2023, about 3,600
Haitians were arrested 82 for distributing, selling, or possessing small quantities of
cannabis, the street value of which in the country ranges from RD$5,000 to 6,000 per
pound (approximately US $85 to US $100). 83
93. Cannabis is trafficked primarily across the land border shared with Haiti, which
spans over 390 km and has only four official crossing points, at Dajabón, Elías Piña,
Pedernales and Ouanaminthe, and up to 90 illegal ones. Operations carried out by the
Dominican authorities between 4 September 2023 and 31 April 2024 yielded
approximately 614.16 kg of cannabis at the border provinces of Elias Piña (172.17 kg)
and Pedernales (441.48 kg); other seizures are detailed in annex 27.
94. Cannabis is often transported into the Dominican Republic by trucks, concealed
among other products (see sect. II.D.3). 84 For instance, on 27 December 2023,
167.18 kg of cannabis were seized in boxes of lemons inside a truck in Elías Piña. 85
Small quantities of arms and drugs are also likely to be trafficked alongside other
goods, such as cigarettes, alcohol and food, that increasingly are being smuggled
across the border. 86
(b)
Cocaine
95. The number of seizures of cocaine linked to Haiti has risen since mid -2023. The
Panel has conducted follow-up inquiries into a major cocaine seizure conducted on
29 September by Belgian authorities, who found 308.7 kg of the drug at the port of
Antwerp, Belgium. The cocaine was hidden inside sports bags in a shipping container
that was originally loaded in Port-au-Prince on 29 August and trans-shipped through
Kingston from 4 to 7 September. The Panel travelled to Antwerp and Jamaica to meet
with law enforcement agents working on the case. The Belgian and Jamaican
authorities told the Panel that the drug could have been loaded either in Port au-Prince, Kingston or even in Antwerp, and investigations continue. The Panel will
provide updates on the case in due course.
__________________
Interview with regional security sources, May 2024, and confidential report, July 2024.
Ibid.
81
Interviews with regional anti-narcotic officers, January and May 2024.
82
Dominican Republic, Consejo Nacional de Drogas, “Observatorio Dominicano de drogas:
informe estadístico anual 2023”, 2024.
83
Interview with regional authorities, May 2024.
84
Ibid.
85
See Dominican Republic, Ministerio de Defensa, “CESFronT Y DNCD incautan 368 libras de
marihuana en Elías Piña”, 27 December 2023.
86
Interview with regional judicial officers, May 2024.
79
80
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96. On 7 June, the Dominican authorities seized 268 packages of cocaine on the
coast of Pedernales, 87 arresting two individuals. While no confirmed linkages with
Haiti were reported, the authorities told the Panel that it is often the case that the
precarious security situation and ineffective border controls in Haiti attract
traffickers, who want to avoid the more thorough controls in the Dominican Republic.
In that way, they transport cocaine from the southeastern border of Haiti to Dominican
provinces such as Pedernales. The authorities also reported cases of aircraft and sea
vessels from South America diverting to Haiti before heading to North America. 88
97. The Haitian authorities also reported two seizures along the southeastern coast,
confirming southern departments as critical entry points for drugs. On 2 July, in
Bel-Anse, South-East department, authorities intercepted 2.2 kg of cocaine, as part of
a shipment of 12 kg; meaning that around 10 kg were still in circulation. On 10 July,
in Jacmel, on the southeastern coast, an individual was arrested in possession of
around 1kg of cocaine. Given the proximity of the dates and locations of the seizures,
it is likely that the drugs from the two cases originated from the same single shipment
distributed in this area.
98. In another development, on 4 July 2024, in Mirebalais commune, in the Centre
department, authorities seized 7.9 kg of cocaine, one of the largest quantities ever
intercepted in the area. Two individuals, including one woman, were arrested. 89 The
woman mentioned that a former policeman had been among the main drug suppliers.
99. The Panel has also received multiple reports on the presence of Caribbean and Latin
American nationals within the ranks of Haitian gangs and/or present in gang-controlled
areas in Haiti, some of whom are suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. 90 On 21
October 2023, four Colombians and one Haitian national were arrested by the Haitian
national police in Belladère commune, Centre department. The individuals are suspected
of being associated with an aircraft found on 19 October in Ducis, Les Cayes co mmune,
South department, that is likely to have been used for trafficking drugs. 91
3.
Smuggling of migrants 92
100. Migration is a human right that should take place in a safe, orderly and dignified
manner, 93 which is not the case for most Haitian migrants.
101. The sanctions designation criteria established in paragraphs 15 and 16 of
Security Council resolution 2653 (2022), include being responsible for or complicit
in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions that threaten the peace, security
or stability of Haiti. Those actions include, but are not limited to, engaging in, directly
or indirectly, or supporting criminal activities and … criminal networks that promote
violence, including … trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.
102. The smuggling of migrants is a complex, multilayered crime. It involves a web
of actors, including ringleaders; counterfeiters; land, sea and air transporters;
__________________
See Hoy, “¡268 paquetes de cocaína y una lancha rápida incautados! Operativo antidrogas en
Pedernales”, 7 June 2024.
88
Interview with regional intelligence officers, January 2024.
89
Interview with Haitian national police officer, July 2024.
90
Interviews with regional intelligence officers, June 2024.
91
Interviews with representatives of Haitian, Dominican and Colombian authorities, 2024.
92
The Panel follows the definitions of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants contained
in the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons , Especially Women and
Children and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.
93
See https://rosanjose.iom.int/en/blogs/six-essential-elements-make-migration-safe-orderly-andregular.
87
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transborder smugglers; 94 and corrupt officials; among others, often operating across
multiple jurisdictions.
The 2023 smuggling “air bridge” case
103. The Panel investigated the five-month “air bridge” from June to October 2023,
during which more than 47,000 Haitian migrants flew from Haiti to Nicaragua for
onward illegal movement towards North America (see annex 28).
104. The Panel has been investigating several types of actors involved in smuggling,
including the individuals who manage smuggling operations, as well as the flight
charter companies implicated.
105. One specific network entailed two Haitian nationals, Jean Michel Dorcenat and
Kenny Beaubrun, who operate a large-scale smuggling operation in Santo Domingo
and Port-au-Prince with connections to local criminals throughout the region. 95
106. According to eye witnesses and a security agency from a Member State, between
August and October 2023, those individuals, acting together or alone, facilitated the
travel of more than 3,500 people in 52 chartered flights from Haiti to Nicaragua, from
which they were smuggled towards Mexico and the United States.
107. In addition to chartering the flights, Messrs Dorcenat and Beaubrun rely on a
network of formal and informal travel agencies in the region (see annex 29). 96 They
also provide migrants with forged passports and/or visas for those that need them,
including by corrupting officials. 97
108. The Panel obtained evidence that, while the men facilitated the movement of the
migrants, they also defrauded travel agencies and the migrants themselves by not
fulfilling their promises. 98
109. In the view of the Panel, flight charter companies (see annex 30) have played
an instrumental role in smuggling Haitian migrants to Central America, with the
ultimate goal of reaching North America (see annex 31). 99
__________________
Commonly known as coyotes or polleros or within the context of Dominican Republic – Haiti as
“poteas” or “potias”.
95
Migrant smugglers in the region often collaborate with local and international criminal networks
to facilitate cross-border movement. These criminal organizations have diversified their
portfolios, engaging in drug trafficking, human trafficking and migran t smuggling, among other
illicit activities. For instance, the criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha (MS -13) operates
across El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and the United States, and is involved in
migrant smuggling in Chiapas state, Mexico. Smaller smuggling groups frequently connect
migrants with larger cartels, like the Cartel del Golfo and the Cartel del Noreste, which control
smuggling routes from Chiapas through Tamaulipas in Mexico and to the United States.
Interviews with humanitarian organizations, law enforcement and security officers, April, March
and November 2023, and February, March, April and June 2024. Confidential information
provided by a Member State, July 2024. See also, Estela Aragón, Monica Barrantes y Larissa
Álvarez, Perfiles y Modos de Operación de Personas Facilitadoras del Tráfico Ilícito de
Migrantes en América Central, México y la República Dominicana (San José, Costa Rica,
International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNODC, 2023).
96
Travel agencies and social media profiles are actively marketing these trips. These
advertisements are not limited to airfare; many offered comprehensive packages including visas,
passports and onward transportation towards Mexico and the United States. Mo st of these
entities were fraudulent, hindering tracking efforts. Furthermore, financial transactions were
often conducted in small, untraceable cash payments outside the banking system. Confidential
sources, October, November 2023 and April and June 2024.
97
Interviews with confidential sources, April 2024.
98
Interviews with confidential sources, included travel agencies, May, June and July 2024.
99
In the Panel’s opinion, there is a legal gap in the regulation of the aviation sector regarding the
prevention of migrant smuggling, which could be addressed by the relevant international
organizations and interested partners.
94
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110. The Panel identified two charter companies implicated in transporting Haitian
nationals during the “air bridge”. 100 According to confidential sources, the companies
worked closely with individuals and travel agencies in the smuggling scheme and
were aware that they were being hired to transport migrants for onward smuggling to
North America. The Panel contacted the two companies, but had received no reply by
the time of writing.
111. The Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights call on States to take
appropriate steps to prevent, investigate, punish and redress human rights violations
through effective policies, legislation, regulations and adjudication, while business
should respect human rights throughout their operations and be particularly mindful
in conflict-affected areas due to the possible higher risk of gross human rights abuses.
112. Information is widely available regarding the multidimensional crisis in Haiti
and extreme levels of violence, as well as the unprecedented number of migrants
crossing Central America in recent years. In the Panel’s opinion, a basic human rights
due diligence process (see A/73/163, para. 16) would have highlighted the high risk
of migrant smuggling. The Panel found no evidence that such due diligence had ever
been conducted by any of the flight charter companies transporting people, one -way
only, from Haiti to Nicaragua.
113. The desire of Haitians to leave the country because of violence is being
exploited at different levels. For instance, the Panel obtained reports of extortion by
some Haitian civil aviation authorities of individuals arranging charter flights. 101
These cases suggest a scheme based on aircraft size, with payments ranging from
US $15,000 to US $35,000 per flight. The Panel also received reports of similar
extortion practices by some ground handling companies, with fees between
US $10,000 and US $15,000 demanded to service charter flights. 102 The Panel’s
investigations are ongoing.
C.
Acts that violate international human rights law or that constitute
human rights abuses 103
114. Pervasive human rights violations continue to be experienced across Haiti, in
particular in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and the Artibonite region. Between
January and June, there were 3,638 homicides, 104 including 3,241 males (including
51 boys) and 397 females (including13 girls). In addition, 2,211 people were injured
and 1,162 were kidnapped. 105 Concerning the latter, the Panel identified several
incidents of “mass kidnappings” 106 committed by the Kokorat San Ras gang, led by
Meyer, and the Gran Grif gang, led by Luckson Elan (see annex 33).
115. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) of May
2024, around half the Haitian population (5 million people) is experiencing IPC
3-level food insecurity (crisis), with 1.6 million facing IPC 4-level food insecurity
__________________
See for example, flight history of FLYMEX aircraft XA-VBC between Port-au-Prince, Haiti and
Managua, Nicaragua from August to October 2023 (annex 30).
101
Interviews with an analyst, November 2023 and May 2024. Confidential source, July 2024.
102
Interview confidential source, July 2024.
103
See also annex 32 on other human rights violations.
104
This is the highest number of homicides since the United Nations began recording intentional
homicides in Haiti. United Nations police data. July 2024.
105
This number includes 724 men, 14 boys, 409 women and 15 girls, a 20 per cent decrease
according to United Nations police data, July 2024.
106
For the Panel’s report purposes “mass kidnappings” are those where 10 or more persons are
kidnapped in a single incident.
100
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(emergency). 107 The Cité Soleil commune in Port-au-Prince remains one of the most
affected areas. One in two Haitian children currently faces acute food insecurity. 108
The reopening of the international airport in May and the arrival in June of the
Multinational Security Support mission have improved humanitarian access and
assistance, including food distributions, although several challenges persist. 109
116. As of July, the number of self-defence groups had increased to around 60, while
in January there had been around 30. 110 As of June, the Bwa Kale movement and
various self-defence groups had killed at least 182 people (See S/2024/508).
117. According to the Haitian national police, as at 30 June, the force was composed
of 12,931 officers, including 1,571 women. This equates to 1.09 police officers per
1,000 residents. Since January, 23 officers had been killed and 48 injured. In addition ,
approximately 1,000 officers had left the institution due to desertion, resignation or
emigration. Furthermore, of the 412 police installations nationwide, around 74
remained non-operational due to gang violence. 111
118. As at 24 July, the prison system in Haiti continued to be overcrowded, housing
7,542 inmates, including 418 women and 246 minors. About 83 per cent of inmates
were in pretrial detention, with 0.33 m 2 of space available per inmate. Appalling
incarceration conditions had led to the deaths of more than 111 inmates since January
due to anaemia, gastrointestinal diseases, tuberculosis and other infectious
diseases. 112
119. As of June, there were 578,074 internally displaced persons in Haiti, marking a
nearly 60 per cent increase from March 2024 (362,551). 113 This figure is more than
double the number of internally displaced persons in 2022, making Haiti the country
with the highest number of internal displacements in the world for violence related to
crime (see annex 34). 114
120. Haitian nationals continue to fall victim to human smugglers, who employ
dangerous routes by land, sea and air. These perilous journeys often result in tragedy.
On 17 July, a boat carrying 80 Haitian migrants to the Turks and Caicos Islands caught
fire, claiming the lives of 40 people and injuring many others. 115 This incident
underscores the thriving business of migrant smuggling via unsafe sea crossings (see
S/2023/674 and annex 35).
1.
Sexual and gender-based violence
121. Women and girls remain highly vulnerable to sexual and gender-based
violence. 116 The surge in internally displaced persons and their dire living conditions
exacerbate this risk, making them especially susceptible to sexual assault and
__________________
World Food Programme (WFP), “WFP Haiti: country brief”, May 2024.
Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, “Haiti: IPC acute food insecurity snapshot”,
March–June 2024.
109
Interviews with United Nations agencies and humanitarian actors, July 2024.
110
Interviews with a gang analyst and a humanitarian specialist, July 2024.
111
United Nations police data. July 2024.
112
In 27 cases the cause of death was unknown. United Nations police data, July 2024.
113
IOM, “Displacement situation in Haiti: round 7”, June 2024 (visited in June 2024).
114
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), “Haiti: soaring
number of displaced desperately need protection and aid priority, UN experts urge”, 20 June
2024 (visited in June 2024). Figures in annex 34 covers data on internally displaced persons,
deportees/returnees – including sea interdictions – and refugees.
115
IOM, “Tragic boat fire claims 40 migrant lives off Haiti’s coast”, 19 July 2024.
116
According to some sources, between April and June 2024, up to 40 rape cases were reported
daily in some areas of Port-au-Prince. See BINUH, “Quarterly report on the human rights
situation in Haiti”.
107
108
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exploitation. 117 For example, on 29 March, 5 Segond gang members broke into a
gymnasium that functions as an internally displaced persons site in Port -au-Prince
and raped two girls aged 3 and 12 years old. 118
122. During the reporting period, the Panel interviewed multiple victims of rape and
other sexual violence, including members of the LGBTQI+ community. The Panel
received the testimony of a 17-year-old girl who indicated that, on 15 January, while
walking near her home in Delmas, Port-au-Prince, two Delmas 95 gang members took
her to an abandoned building where they raped her. She fell pregnant but later had an
abortion. She was afraid to be attacked again and decided to flee to the Dominican
Republic. 119
123. The Panel interviewed two individuals from the LGBTQI+ community who
reported that they had experienced sexual violence by gangs in Port-au-Prince. A 21year-old man reported ongoing harassment due to his sexual orientation by a gang led
by a United Nations sanctioned individual. The harassment eventually extended to his
family, who forced him to leave their home fearing further violence. After a brief
period of homelessness and temporary refuge in an internally displaced persons site,
he was able to leave Haiti with the help of friends and relatives. 120 A 25-year-old man
recounted living with his partner near the Port-au-Prince airport. They were subjected
to constant harassment and extortion by gang members. When the victim became
unemployed and unable to pay the extortion demands, gang members broke in to their
home and assaulted his partner. Fearing for their lives, both men fled Haiti. 121
124. Additional incidents offer a glimpse of the prevalence of sexual violence in
Haiti. For example, on 30 November, a 22-year-old woman was killed by two bullets
to her vagina for refusing to have sexual relations with Gran Grif gang leader Luckson
Elan, at Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite. On 8 December, in Drouillard (Cité Soleil),
members of the Terre Noire gang, led by Jonel Catel, stopped a van full of passengers
on their way to the Brooklyn neighbourhood. In front of the other passengers, the
gang members collectively raped three women and then killed them. 122
125. Furthermore, the Panel received information of sexual violence against minors.
For example, on 15 January, a 7-year-old girl was raped by a 16-year-old Ti Bwa gang
member in Fontamara, Carrefour commune. On 18 February, a 15 -year-old girl,
suffering from a mental disability, was raped by two Ti Bwa gang members in the
same area. On 26 January, in Drouillard (Cité Soleil) a 17-year-old girl was raped and
killed by Terre Noire gang members while leaving the Brooklyn area to go to school.
On 24 July 2024, 23 women who had been kidnapped, in several incidents, and raped
by unidentified gang members were rescued by the police in the Gressier commune.
An undisclosed number of kidnappers involved in these incidents were either killed
by the police or lynched by the local population. 123
__________________
OHCHR, “Women and girls bear the brunt of crisis ravaging Haiti, say UN experts”, 6 May
2024; and UN News, “Haiti: Displaced women face ‘unprecedented’ level of insecurity and
sexual violence”, 17 July 2024.
118
United Nations data and interviews with humanitarian actors, April 2024.
119
Interview with a confidential source, May 2024.
120
Interview with victim, confidential source, May 2024.
121
Interview with victim, confidential source, May 2024. The victim did not want to identify his
aggressors.
122
Interviews with non-governmental organization (NGO) members and human rights defenders,
June and July 2024; and United Nations data June 2024.
123
Interviews with United Nations agency officers, NGO members and human rights defenders,
May, June and July 2024; and United Nations data November 2023 to June 2024.
117
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126. The Panel also identified cases of rape committed by the gang members of 5
Segond, Gran Grif, Canaan, Kraze Barye and 400 Mawozo, among others. 124 The
Panel’s investigations are ongoing.
2.
Recruitment of children
127. During the reporting period, the recruitment of children as young as 10 by gangs
increased significantly (see S/2024/384), and children may now represent up to 50 per
cent of all gang members. 125 The dire situation in Haiti makes children more
vulnerable to recruitment by gangs. A lack of access to education, employment and
basic necessities creates a situation where joining gangs is seen as the only viable
means of survival. Gangs also lure children by giving them money, a mobile phone,
motorbikes or other goods, promising further economic benefits upon joining and
perhaps also some sort of social recognition. If those tactics fail, gangs resort to death
threats against the children or their families, leaving the minors with no option but to
join the gangs (see annex 32.3). 126
128. Some of the gangs that resort most to child recruitment are Brooklyn, Grand
Ravine, 5 Segond, Gran Grif, 400 Mawozo, Belekou 127 Ti Bwa and 103 Zombie. 128
129. Child recruitment also depends on the amount of money that a gang can give to
a child. However, children cannot choose which gang they would like to work for, as
gangs are very territorial and any attempt to leave their territory is considered treason .
Any defection or refusal to join a gang is punished by death. Moreover, children from
outside a gang-controlled area are viewed with suspicion and face the risk of being
labelled as spies and potentially killed.
130. A child can receive between G10,000–G15,000 (US $70–US $110) a fortnight,
according to their skills and the tasks performed. For example, children at a
checkpoint may make G15,000 (US $110) a fortnight, while a child participating in
clashes may make G25,000 (US $180) a fortnight. 129 Salaries depend also on the
gang’s capacity to make money. 130
131. Children are used for different tasks depending on their age, sex and skills. For
example, girls usually participate in household chores and as spies to collect
information from possible kidnapping victims, or to check on police or other gangs’
movements. However, there have been reports of girls carrying weapons and probably
engaging in clashes. 131 The Panel has received information indicating that minors
have been involved in Viv Ansanm attacks in Port-au-Prince and in managing
checkpoints. 132
132. The Panel was also informed that children are given drugs and alcohol when
they participate in clashes. 133 One particular concerning report included that Dimitri
__________________
Interviews with human rights defenders, NGO’s members, United Nations humanitarian agencies
officers; and United Nations data.
125
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), “Violence drives Haiti’s children into armed groups ;
up to half of all members are now children – UNICEF”, 31 May 2024.
126
Based on the ongoing violence against children it is possible to conclude that the six grave
violations against children continue to be committed. See also, S/2023/674.
127
United Nations police data, July 2024. See also, S/2024/508.
128
Interviews with a gang analyst and two humanitarian actors, July 2024.
129
Interview with a humanitarian actor, July 2024. Money exchange rates based on www.xe.com/
(accessed on July 2024).
130
Interview with a humanitarian actor, July 2024.
131
Interviews with human rights defenders and NGO members, May and June 2024.
132
Interviews with gang analyst, United Nations agency officers, NGO members and human rights
defenders, May, June and July 2024.
133
Interviews with human rights defenders, May 2024.
124
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Hérard had trained child members of 5 Segond how to use weapons and military
tactics. 134
133. There are also minors who command gang cells and control territory. For
example, Ti Bebe Bougòy was a minor when he took the lead of 103 Zombie in 2022.
Many gang leaders are young adults in their early twenties, who therefore not only
appeal to children but also prefer to recruit them as they can control them more
easily. 135
134. In that regard, while the October 2023 signing of the protocol on the transfer,
reception and care of children associated with armed gangs encountered during
operations to secure the territory, by the Government and the United Nations system,
is a positive step, the arrival of the Multinational Security Support mission operation
underscores the urgent need for its full implementation.
135. In a testimony to the Panel, one minor recounted his ordeal in escaping from
joining the Grand Ravine gang and how he had to flee to the Dominican Republic in
order to avoid being killed by the gang. 136 In another testimony, a 16-year-old girl
explained to the Panel how 5 Segond gang members had pressured her 17 -year-old
brother to join the gang. Initially, they had invited him to drink alcohol and party, but
he refused due to his religious beliefs. This rejection angered the gang members, who
began extorting him every time he left home. Eventually, he became too afraid to go
outside. The gang then started interrogating his family about his whereabouts and
demanding money. The family decided to leave the Village-de-Dieu area one by one.
However, the brother was caught by the gang while attempting to escape and was
killed on the spot. The witness managed to escape with a relative and left the country
but is unaware of her mother’s whereabouts. 137
3.
Use of human shields 138
136. Since the beginning of 2024, the Panel has observed many gangs using the
population as human shields. This new tactic includes preventing civilians from
evacuating to safety, trapping them in their homes and summarily killing those who
attempt to escape. Gangs have also called on the population to return to their homes
under the promise that the areas are now safe (see also sect. II.A). The use of human
shields is a serious human rights violation.
137. This strategy could allow gangs to blend in with civilians during operations by
the Haitian national police and potentially the Multinational Security Support
mission, thus increasing the risk of civilian casualties, especially in densely populated
areas.
138. For example, in Carrefour-Feuilles, the Grand Ravine gang has occupied various
houses with the inhabitants inside, forbidding them to leave their houses. 139
__________________
Interviews with gang analyst, United Nations agency officers, and human rights defenders, May,
June and July 2024.
135
Interview with two humanitarian actors, July 2024.
136
Interview with a confidential source, May 2024.
137
Interview with a confidential source, May 2024.
138
For the purposes of the present report, the Panel employs the term “human shields” to describe
situations where a fighting faction deliberately uses civilians to deter attacks against it. This usage
does not imply a determination regarding the applicability of international humanitarian law.
139
Interview with gang analyst, July 2024.
134
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4.
Wanton destruction and ransacking of public and private property 140
139. Between February and May, Viv Ansanm adopted as a tactic the wanton
destruction and ransacking of public and private infrastructure and property in Port au-Prince metropolitan area (see sect. II.A).
140. The area surrounding the National Palace was particularly affected. This
strategically important zone includes such critical institutions as the General
Hospital; several university faculties; the premises of the official national journal, Le
Moniteur; and Le Nouvelliste, the country’s oldest newspaper. About 130 businesses,
650 vehicles, 957 homes and several government buildings were ransacked or burned.
Thousands of people were forced to relocate. 141
141. On 24 March, Viv Ansanm launched a large-scale indiscriminate attack on
several blocks around the National Palace (see annex 36). The aim of the attack was
to empty the area of the population and to cause as much damage as possible. The
Panel’s investigation led to the identification of Izo, the leader of 5 Segond, as one of
the main aggressors in the attack. 142
D.
Illicit financial flows
1.
Challenges to the economy of Haiti
142. Gang-related violence has exacerbated the flow of illicit finances as gangs seek
to increase their territory and therefore their sources of revenue before joint
operations of the Haitian national police and Multinational Security Support mission.
143. Certain economic actors continue to finance gangs and organized criminal
networks to protect their business enterprises and abet illicit trade. This relationship
is critical in the fuelling of gang violence, as several gangs have publicly affirmed
(see annex 37).
144. During the reporting period, several corporate entities closed or disinvested as
a way of derisking, leading to a gradual contraction of the country’s economy. 143
145. The country also continues to experience diversion of public funds intended for
the provision of basic needs to Haitians and the construction and development of
critical infrastructure.
2.
Gang attacks on strategic economic hubs
146. As it became more apparent that the Multinational Security Support mission
would soon deploy, gangs became more aggressive. They sought to capitalize on the
limited window of opportunity for generating additional illicit revenue by conquering
__________________
For the purposes of the present report, the Panel employs the term “wanton destruction” to
describe situations where private or public property is destroyed indiscriminately by fighting
factions. This usage does not imply a determination regarding the applicability of international
humanitarian law.
141
Interviews with human rights defenders and NGO members, May and June 2024. See also,
National Human Right Defense Network, “RNDDH’s position on the chaotic situation in Haiti”,
6 March 2024; and BINUH, “Quarterly report on the human rights situation in Haiti”,
January – March 2024.
142
Interviews with United Nations agency officers, NGO members and human rights defenders,
May, June and July 2024.
143
Interviews with a bank staff member, a finance analyst and government anti-corruption official,
May 2024. See also, United States Department of Agriculture, Grain and feed annual: Haiti,
report No. HA2024-003, 17 April 2024.
140
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new territory (see sect. II.A) and targeting key economic hubs, such as seaports, roads,
private investment firms and banks.
(a)
Attacks on seaports
(i)
Caribbean Port Services container terminal
147. The reactivation of the Viv Ansanm alliance (see sect. II.A) resulted in an
unprecedented onslaught on seaports, as gangs rushed to generate illicit revenue.
148. The Wharf Jeremie and La Saline gangs competed to generate revenue by
extorting trucks to and from the Caribbean Port Services container terminal, located
at the national port authority port in the La Saline area of Port-au-Prince. The
container terminal handles about 80 per cent of the cargo coming into Port au-Prince. 144
149. According to four cargo operators and two drivers, cargo trucks typically paid
US $200–US $300 per container leaving the port to each of the two gangs. With a
minimum of 200 containers leaving the terminal daily, the gangs collected huge
revenues, leading transporters to stop operations in early March due to overextortion.
150. As an alternative, gangs opted to loot the containers to compensate for reduced
revenue as a result of a truck owners’ strike. The port was forced to close (see
annex 38). 145
(ii)
Varreux terminal
151. Gangs also scaled up attacks on the Varreux terminal, the largest fuel depot in
Haiti, adjacent to Cité Soleil commune, thereby compromising the fuel supply to the
rest of the country. The terminal stores about 70 per cent of the county’s bulk fuel, 146
in addition to operating as a general cargo port for other commodities. 147
152. Attacks in the reporting period were conducted by the Viv Ansanm alliance,
including where members of 5 Segond destroyed power infrastructure and looted a
ship. After several attempts to break into the port, in March, the gang attacked the
Varreux power plant operated by Electricité D’Haïti, plunging Port-au-Prince into
darkness. 148 The aim was to paralyze the plant’s operations, then loot the oil products
and sell them on (see annex 39). 149 The intervention of the Haitian national police
prevented the gangs from gaining access to the port.
153. In April, the gang attacked a ship, the Magalie, in Port-au-Prince bay after it had
unloaded some its cargo of rice at the Varreux terminal, and looted some of its
remaining cargo before the Haitian national police rescued the vessel. 150 Two sources
with knowledge of the looting and a trader in Village de Dieu, 5 Segond’s stronghold,
informed the Panel that the gang had commandeered trucks to transport the rice to its
territorial neighbourhood, where it distributed some for free to local schools and sold
the rest at open markets at half the market price as a “goodwill” gesture to please the
community. The source noted that “the gang gets the commodities for ‘free’, so selling
__________________
See Philippe Coles, “Caribbean port services: Port-au-Prince, Haiti”, Project Cargo Weekly,
4 October 2018.
145
Jérémie Tillon, “La compagnie Carribean Port Service suspend toutes ses activités dans le port à
la suite de l’attaque perpétrée par les gangs”, 7 March 2024.
146
iCiHaiti, “Insecurity: the Varreux oil terminal blocked”, 23 April 2024.
147
Interviews with a customs official and a national port authority staff member, March 2024. See
also, https://dlca.logcluster.org/211a-haiti-port-terminal-varreux.
148
Char Adams and Fredlyn Pierre Louis, “Parts of Haiti left in darkness after armed groups attack
power stations”, NBC News, 18 March 2024.
149
Interview with a security agent and a customs officer linked to Port Varreux, April 2024.
150
Raghib Raza, “Gangs in Haiti hijack food-carrying ship in Port-au-Prince”, 11 April 2024.
144
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it at a throw-away price still earns them a ‘profit’ while also winning them support
from the community”. 151
154. Between 22 April and 1 May, Viv Ansanm gangs blocked access to Varreux and
the Caribbean Port Services terminal, thereby choking the supply of fuel and other
commodities to the country. Specifically, 5 Segond hijacked trucks outside the
terminal and used them to block the road, stopping operations at the port (see
annex 39). This led to fuel scarcity and higher commodity prices, to the benefit of
illicit street dealers and fuel stations owned by gangs. 152
155. Since June, the Haitian national police has been increasing operations in the
vicinity of the terminal, securing fuel distribution.
(b)
Attacks on roads and businesses
156. The Panel has continued to investigate how Viv Ansanm gangs generate revenue
by levying taxes on communal roads and businesses and other illicit activities.
Although gangs have come together under the Viv Ansanm banner, they continue to
manage revenue generation at the gang level. 153 For instance, the cooperation during
the reporting period between Les Argentins, led by Kempes Sanon, and Delmas 6, led
by Jimmy Cherizier (HTi.001) is illustrative of this.
157. Since February, the gangs have jointly attacked the Solino area in their effort to
take over the neighbourhood (see sect. II.A.1). They have also jointly targeted Upper
Delmas, Christ Roi, Bourbon and Nazon, which are considered middle - and highincome residential areas “suitable” for extortion and kidnapping. 154
158. Despite the joint attacks to expand territory, with regard to revenue collection
each gang maintains its modus operandi. For instance, Delmas 6 has been looting
businesses, including those of their “clients” who pay it a monthly fee for
“protection”, while Les Argentins is involved in the spoliation and extortion of
residents. There is no coordinated revenue collection strategy, and in some instances
the two gangs have clashed over territorial economic boundaries (see annex 41 and
sect. II.A.1). 155
(c)
Attacks on the banking sector
159. The Haitian banking sector faces increased challenges, both physical (attacks
by gangs) and financial due to compliance challenges and risks.
160. Attacks on banks by Viv Ansanm alliance members have sowed panic in the
banking sector, leading clients to engage in bank runs. For instance, in early March,
gangs attacked and looted branches of BNC, SOGEBANK and UNIBANK in Croix des-Bouquets commune. 156 On 18 March, the Banque de la République d’Haïti, the
Central Bank, in downtown Port-au-Prince, was attacked in an attempted looting,
leading to fatalities, temporary closure and further repercussions, such as a forex
__________________
Interview with a trader based in Village De Dieu, May 2024.
Interview with proprietors of two petrol stations and a rice importer, June 2024. See also, iCiHaiti,
“Insecurity: the Varreux oil terminal blocked”; and Crisis 24, “Haiti: gang violence, heightened
security measures likely to continue through at least mid-May/update 16”, 2 May 2024.
153
Interview with an official of a taxi syndicate, a gang analyst and two seaport operators, June 2024.
154
Interview with a business retailer in Upper Delmas and two taxi operators based in Delmas 6, May
and June 2024.
155
Interview with two businessmen whose kiosks were looted and burned down in Solino; and one
Haitian national police officer aware of the case, May and June 2024.
156
Erold Théodore, “Attaque armée contre la mairie de Croix -des-Bouquets: des pertes
considérables enregistrées”, 8 March 2024.
151
152
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shortage due to capital flight. 157 Soon after, Citbank, which offered corporate services
and correspondence banking, closed its operations in the country, and some clients
transferred their money to overseas banks in the region (see annex 42).
161. The attacks on banks have contributed to panic among clients, leading to bulk
withdrawals while some businesses have disinvested in the country due to political
instability and low investor confidence. Key corporate clients, such as exporters and
hoteliers, are among those that have disinvested as their markets have shrivelled. 158
162. According to a bank analyst, only about 28 per cent of the Haitian population
have a bank account, down from about 32 per cent in 2017. 159 The remaining 72 per
cent use non-banking facilities, including bulk cash. In 2023, Haiti was among the
top three intended destination countries for bulk cash seized in the United States. 160
According to Haiti authorities, some of the bulk cash that manages to enter the
country feeds the illicit flow networks, including the financing of gang activities. 161
163. The banking sector of Haiti continues to experience a loss of skilled labour,
mainly due to gang-related insecurity. 162 The Governor of the Banque de la
République d’Haïti observed that about 250 skilled executives left the banking sector
and Haiti in 2023, largely due to insecurity, describing it as a major loss that hampers
the country’s economic development. 163 Other factors, such as money-laundering,
further strain the confidence in the banking sector, in addition to a large unbanked
population and compliance issues (see annex 43).
3.
Cross-border illicit financial flows
164. The economic ties between Haiti and the Dominican Republic are characterized
by both formal and informal trade. Communities on both sides of the border trade
seamlessly, with informal trade meshed in illicit activities. 164 Some elite economic
actors have engaged with gangs to pursue illicit cross-border financial activities.
165. The Panel found that the 400 Mawozo gang is part of a criminal network
involved in the smuggling of contraband, as well as extortion and assassinations. 165
The gang continues to focus its attention on the smuggling of arms and ammunition
(see S/2023/674, para. 104), which it sells on to other gangs within the greater Viv
Ansanm alliance (see annex 16).
166. Since most markets are located in the Dominican Republic, organized criminal
syndicates operate on both sides of the border and are meshed within the cross -border
communities, making it difficult for customs and other law enforcement bodies to
__________________
Interview with a banker and two financial security personnel, April 2024. See Agence FrancePresse, “Haïti: une attaque contre la Banque centrale repoussée, plusieurs assaillants tués”, Le
Monde, 19 March 2024.
158
Interview with a banker, a former government finance official and a financial analyst, April and
May 2024.
159
Interview with a bank analyst and a finance advisor, May 2024. See also, Alliance for Financial
Inclusion, “Haiti: digital financial services (SFD)”, 2018
160
United States, Department of Treasury, 2024 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment (2024).
161
Interview with an anti-money-laundering analyst, a financial crimes officer and a finance risk
analyst, April 2024.
162
Ibid.
163
Haiti Libre, “Haiti: economy – nearly 250 executives left the banking sector and Haiti in 2023”,
6 January 2024.
164
Center for Strategic and International Studies, “Cross-border trade and corruption along the
Haiti-Dominican Republic border”, March 2019.
165
Interview with a Polifront officer, a customs official and Haitian national police officer, June
2024.
157
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tackle them. Such attempts often attract the wrath of the criminal ecosystem, as noted
by several past altercations. 166
(a)
Financing of 400 Mawozo and organized criminal networks
167. Information provided by a Member State corroborated the Panel’s investigation
of illicit financial activities in the Belladère border area, according to which Rony
Célestin, a businessperson and former Haitian senator, was one of the financers of the
400 Mawozo gang and a criminal network that abets his smuggling activities.
168. This cross-border criminal network is composed of businesspeople, informal
traders, transporters, corrupt border security and customs agents, smugglers from
local communities and gang members.
169. The Panel spoke to 18 confidential sources in Haiti and the Dominican Republic,
some of whom were part of the network and others who had direct knowledge of the
matter. Five of the sources independently explained to the Panel how the network
facilitates the passage of cargo trucks transporting Mr. Célestin’s contraband, at times
including concealed arms and ammunition destined for 400 Mawozo, with his
knowledge. Often, members of the gang observe the transport from close proximity
to ensure that the cargo is not inspected. 167
170. The sources added that 400 Mawozo’s control over roads leading to cross-border
points, including Belladère and Malpasse, has positioned the gang as a major supplier
of ammunition to other gangs in Haiti. With regard to Belladère, they described how
small batches of 100 to 500 rounds of ammunition and two or three rifles or pistols
are sometimes concealed in contraband commodities and foodstuffs as break bulk
cargo imported by Mr. Célestin’s firms. Once the cargo enters Haiti, 400 Mawozo
coordinates with his focal points in ensuring its safe delivery (see annex 44). 168
171. Five sources added that Mr. Célestin’s smuggling network with 400 Mawozo
also involves some corrupt border officials, who for a fee facilitate the movement of
migrant labourers, at times including children, destined for the informal labour market
in the Dominican Republic. The sources added that they were also aware that his
trucks, when returning to the Dominican Republic from Haiti, sometimes smuggle
drugs, including cannabis, in concealed compartments.
(i)
Tax evasion, trade mis-invoicing and price-fixing
172. The Panel found that firms in which Mr. Célestin and his spouse are beneficial
owners generate illicit finances by importing contraband goods. They evade the
payment of duties through trade malpractices, including mis-invoicing and the
corrupting of customs officials. Sources in the Dominican Re public and Haiti, aware
of the matter, explained to the Panel that Mr. Célestin had developed a network among
customs officials tasked with ensuring that his consignments circumvent the payment
of import duties and related taxes. Mr. Célestin uses armed men to put pressure on
customs officers and law enforcement agents to act in his favour. 169
173. Because of the financial advantage of importing large quantities of goods and
bypassing most taxes, Mr. Célestin is able to sell goods at a lower price, resulting in
__________________
Ibid.
Interview with five confidential sources in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic, May and
June 2024, respectively.
168
Interview with four confidential sources, three Santo Domingo - Port-au-Prince cargo truck
drivers and two bus agents operating between Santo Domingo and Port -au-Prince, June 2024.
169
Confidential source, June 2024.
166
167
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competitors closing their businesses. He also sometimes endears to the community by
engaging in philanthropic activities.
(ii)
Laundering of proceeds of illicit financial flows
174. Sources explained to the Panel that Mr. Célestin, a major importer of cement
and iron in the country, 170 and his spouse are the beneficial owners of at least eight
trading companies, whose operations the Panel is aware of and which they use to
launder money.
175. Mr. Célestin launders the proceeds of his illicit cross-border activities by
investing in legitimate activities aimed at sanitizing his image. He exploits his
business influence to gain favours, including tenders to supply construction material –
mainly contraband cement and iron sheets – to government institutions, although in
several instances he has been paid without delivering on the bids awarded to him. 171
176. Mr. Célestin has been sanctioned by a Member State for economic crimes,
including corruption. 172 The Panel obtained information about his wealth and found
that he holds a number of bank accounts in various currencies. 173 For instance, in
2017, one of the joint accounts that he and his wife held contained US $1,000,825.54,
and in 2018, another jointly held account contained US $75,315.50. In 2021, the
couple also bought a house in Canada worth Can$4.25 million ( US $3.1 million) 174
with an unexplained source of funds that financial investigators believed had been
acquired illicitly. 175 Finally, when called upon by the Haitian authorities in 2020 to
declare his wealth, Mr. Célestin failed to disclose his real net worth.
4.
Diversion of public funds and available control measures
177. Public funds intended for the provision of basic services continue to flow into
illicit networks, benefiting individuals responsible for implementing national
policies. The practice continues to undermine governance and the public trust in the
State.
178. In its 2019 Mutual Evaluation Report on anti-money-laundering and counterterrorist financing methods, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force pointed out a
number of shortcomings by Haiti. These were further emphasized in the Task Force’s
fourth enhanced follow-up report and technical compliance re-rating, released in July
2024. 176
179. Haiti is on the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s grey list due to strategic
deficiencies in its regimes to counter money-laundering, terrorist financing and
__________________
Gazette Haiti, “Affaires Rony Célestin: Ensemble Contre la Corruption (ECC) recommande la
formation d’une commission mixte et un audit financier de la questure de la 49 et 50ème
législature”, 25 February 2021.
171
Former governmental official and an anti-corruption officer, 2024.
172
Rony Célestin was sanctioned by Canada under the Special Economic Measures Act and the
United Nations Act in response to the activities of criminal gangs and those who support them in
fomenting violence and insecurity. See www.international.gc.ca/campaign-campagne/haitisanction/index.aspx?lang=eng; and Canada, Global Affairs, “Canada imposes additional
sanctions against Haitian political elites”, 19 November 2024.
173
Confidential report on illicit financial flows, seen by the Panel, June 2024.
174
Vincent Larouche, “Une villa de 4,25 millions pour la famille d’un sénateur haïtien”, La Presse,
16 February 2021; and Hugo Joncas, “Les proches d’un sénateur haïtien investissent 6 millions $
au Québec”, Le Journal de Montréal, 17 February 2021.
175
Confidential sources, 2024.
176
Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist
Financing Measures: Republic of Haiti – 4th Enhanced Follow-Up Report and Technical
Compliance Re-Rating (2024).
170
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proliferation financing. 177 These aspects present a risk to the international financial
system. Owing to the challenges the country is facing, the Task Force has allowed
Haiti the latitude to report on progress at its own pace. 178
180. In the 2024 Mutual Evaluation Report, however, the efforts made by the
Financial and Economic Affairs Bureau, the anti-corruption unit and the central
financial intelligence unit in gaining access to and utilizing financial intelligence to
conduct their functions were acknowledged.
181. At the time of reporting, the country’s anti-corruption unit had prepared 11 highlevel cases that were ready for prosecution, involving the diversion of government
funds running into millions of United States dollars. Despite the challenges, Haiti is
reported to be on course to institute regulatory anti-money-laundering requirements,
such as the reporting of suspicious activity, customer identification, customer due
diligence and the keeping of beneficial ownership registers. 179
5.
Other related findings
182. During its investigations, the Panel came across cases of illicit exploitation and
trade of natural resources by individuals involved in the destabilization of the country.
The Panel believes that the proceeds from the sale of those resources are used to
finance activities of gangs and criminal networks.
III. Recommendations
183. The Panel of Experts on Haiti makes the following recommendations to the
Security Council:
(a) Request Member States, in particular those in the Caribbean and North,
Central and South America regions, to report to the Committee on the actions they
have taken to effectively implement the arms embargo established by paragraph 14
of Council resolution 2699 (2023);
(b) Reinstate the scope of the arms embargo by ensuring that future relevant
resolutions of the Council include the original language contained in paragraph 11 of
resolution 2653 (2022), namely, “arms and related materiel of all types, including
weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment,
and spare parts for the aforementioned, and technical assistance, training, financial or
other assistance, related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of
any arms and related materiel”, instead of the language contained in paragraph 6 of
Council resolution 2700 (2023), namely, “small arms, light weapons and
ammunition” (see annex 25);
(c) Update the sanctions designation criteria set out in paragraphs 15 and 16
of Council resolution 2653 (2022) by including the engagement by individuals or
armed groups in activities that destabilize Haiti through the illicit exploitation or trade
of natural resources.
184. The Panel of Experts on Haiti makes the following recommendations to the
Committee:
__________________
Financial Action Task Force, “Jurisdictions under increased monitoring: June 2024”, 28 June
2024.
178
Discussion with Caribbean Financial Action Task Force secretariat, July 2024.
179
Interview with two financial investigators and risk analyst, June and July 2024.
177
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(a) Continue to consider the statements of cases and additional related
information submitted by the Panel in 2023 and 2024, and update the list of
individuals designated pursuant to Security Council resolution 2653 (2022);
(b) Encourage Member States, in particular those in the Caribbean and North,
Central and South America regions, to strengthen their border control mechanisms to
identify and tackle trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, as well as other
transnational criminal activities, and support the Haitian authorities in building their
general border control capacity, including by financing UNODC programming in
Haiti;
(c) Encourage Member States to work with the International Civil Aviation
Organization, along with relevant United Nations humanitarian agencies and other
organizations as needed, to develop international standards and recommended
practices in the aviation sector to tackle trafficking in persons and smuggling of
migrants;
(d) Call upon the Government of Haiti, with the support of national and
international partners, to fully implement the protocol on the transfer, reception and
care of children associated with armed gangs encountered during operations to secure
the territory, signed by the Government and the United Nations system in Haiti in
2023, and to strengthen the capacity of the Haitian Institute of Social Welfare and
Research, in charge of minors;
(e) Urge Member States to continue to contribute financially to the
Multinational Security Support mission to ensure its deployment outside of Port au-Prince, in particular in the Artibonite department;
(f) Call upon Member States to support the Haitian authorities and their
partners to develop and implement a holistic approach to tackling gang violence. In
addition to the Multinational Security Support mission, this should include
disarmament, dismantlement and reintegration and community violence reduction
programming, as well as justice and corrections capacities;
(g) Encourage Member States to build the capacity of Haitian security
agencies to deploy tactical assets, including aerial and maritime, to tackle gang
activity and the trafficking of arms and drugs;
(h) Encourage Member States, in particular those in the region, to support the
strengthening of the capacity of the Haitian anti-narcotics brigade through the
provision of equipment, by establishing information -sharing channels with the
brigade and by conducting joint operations, as relevant;
(i) Encourage the Government of Haiti, with the support of its international
partners, to undertake a risk assessment relating to money -laundering and financing
of terrorism, and develop national policies to mitigate those risks, in line with the
evaluation of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, and as a way of combating
illicit financial flows;
(j) Request Member States, including those planning to transfer firearms,
ammunition and related materiel to the Haitian national police, either by sale or
donation, to support the police in strengthening its weapons and ammunition
management capacities in order to mitigate potential diversions, including physical
security and stockpile management, as well as by conducting post-delivery controls.
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Annexes
Contents
Annex 1: Methodology and communications ..............................................................................................................................
41
Annex 2: Table of correspondence sent and received by the Panel from November 2023 to August 2024 ............
42
Annex 3: Reactivation of Viv Ansanm alliance ............................................................................................................................
43
Annex 4: Profiles of main gangs within the Viv Ansanm alliance, in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area ........
45
Annex 5: Some of the Viv Ansanm’s attacks .................................................................................................................................
48
Annex 6: Gang presence in the West department as of June 2024 .......................................................................................
59
Annex 7: Fracturing of G9 and weakening of Barbeque since late September 2023 ....................................................
61
Annex 8: Lanmo San Jou, leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, showing money including from extortion .................
62
Annex 9: HNP warrant notices against Dimitri Herard and some gang leaders who escaped prison, on
2 March 2024 ..........................................................................................................................................................................................
63
Annex 10: Attacks over Solino neighborhood intensifed since February 2024 ................................................................
64
Annex 11: Attack against UTAG police officers .........................................................................................................................
65
Annex 12: Expansion over southern communes of the West department .........................................................................
66
Annex 13: Increased violence by Artibonite gangs ....................................................................................................................
67
Annex 14: Profile of Gangs in the Artibonite department ......................................................................................................
69
Annex 15: Gang controlled area in the Artibonite department as of August 2024 .........................................................
70
Annex 16: Gangs adapting their strategy ahead of MSS operations ...................................................................................
71
Annex 17: 400 Mawozo’s acquisition of firearms and attacks against Ganthier commune (July 2024) .................
74
Annex 18: Active campaign calling for Bwa Kale in anticipation of the MSS deployment .........................................
76
Annex 19: Attempts by gangs to win the sympathy of the population ................................................................................
77
Annex 20: Anti-MSS demonstration by Delmas 6 gang ...........................................................................................................
78
Annex 21: Seizures conducted on their way to Haiti or at Haitian ports of entry since the creation of the
sanctions regime in October 2022 ....................................................................................................................................................
79
Annex 22: Details of seizures operated on their way or at ports of entry in Haiti during the reporting period
81
Annex 23: 5 April 2024 seizure in Cap-Haitien...........................................................................................................................
85
Annex 24: New equipment in the hands of gangs ......................................................................................................................
88
Annex 25: The use of uncrewed aerial systems by gangs ........................................................................................................
91
Annex 26: Brigade de Surveillance des Aires Protégées (BSAP) ..........................................................................................
93
Annex 27: Drug seizures by Dominican authorities ..................................................................................................................
97
Annex 28: Comparison of number of Haitian nationals entering Panama and Honduras between June to
October 2023 ...........................................................................................................................................................................................
99
Annex 29: Posts of travel agencies and social media profiles actively marketing trips to Nicaragua and
Mexico .....................................................................................................................................................................................................
101
Annex 30: Flight history for Flymex aircraft XA-VBC, from August to October 2023 ...............................................
104
Annex 31: Map showing main air and land migrant smuggling routes from Haiti to North America ...................
108
Annex 32: Other violations of human rights ................................................................................................................................
109
Annex 33: Mass kidnappings by Kokorat San Ras and Gran Grif gangs (October 2023 - June 2024) ..................
120
Annex 34: Migration, Deportees/Returnees, Refugees and IDPs .........................................................................................
122
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Annex 35: Building of makeshift boats at Port-de-Paix, Haiti ..............................................................................................
131
Annex 36: Wanton destruction and ransacking of public and private infrastructure by gangs in the
downtown area of Port-au-Prince....................................................................................................................................................
133
Annex 37: Gangs explain that they receive weapons from economic actors.....................................................................
136
Annex 38: The impact of gang attacks on the CPS container terminal ..............................................................................
138
Annex 39: A copy of the press statement issued by Electricité D’Haiti (EDH) in March, informing the public
of the attack against its facility at the Varreux Power Plant and its impact on electricity supply ............................
139
Annex 40: The blocking of the entrance to Varreux terminal by the 5 Segond gang using hijacked trucks
(22 April 2024) ........................................................................................................................................................................................
140
Annex 41: Some of the strategies used by Les Argentins and Delmas 6 in revenue collection ...................................
141
Annex 42: A Citibank notice for closing down of its operations in Haiti ...........................................................................
142
Annex 43: Banking and compliance ..............................................................................................................................................
143
Annex 44: Rony Celestin’s way of moving contraband ...........................................................................................................
144
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Annex 1: Methodology and communications
Methodology and Opportunity to Reply
The Panel adopted a decision rule of consensus, meaning that all members of the Panel were required to agree on the text,
findings and recommendations of the report. However, if any member of the Panel had a difference of opinion or reservation,
the report could still be adopted by a majority vote of three out of four members.
The Panel reviewed social media and other open sources, but no information was used as evidence unless it could be
corroborated by multiple independent sources. This was done to ensure that the information was reliable and met the highest
achievable standard of proof.
The Panel provides individuals and entities recommended for sanctioning the opportunity to reply. This gives individuals
the opportunity to present an alternative narrative and to provide concrete and specific evidence in their support.
The Panel's methodology for the opportunity to reply is as follows:
1. Providing an individual with an opportunity to reply should be the norm.
2. An individual may not be given the opportunity to reply if the Panel concludes, based on their own assessment, that there
is a risk that by doing so it would:
a) Result in the individual destroying evidence, tampering with a witness or moving assets if they receive advance
notice of a possible recommendation for designation;
b) Restrict the Panel's further access to places or vital sources;
c) Endanger Panel sources or Panel members;
d) Jeopardise humanitarian access for humanitarian actors in the field including the United Nations or any other
local or international organizations; or
e) For any reason that is clearly justified by the circumstances.
After an individual or entity is designated by the Sanctions Committee, it is possible to request a de-listing process through
the mechanism established by the Sanctions Committee.180
__________________
See https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/2653/guidelines and see also
https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/2653/materials/procedures -Delisting
180
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Annex 2: Table of correspondence sent and received by the Panel from November 2023 to August 2024
Member
State
Bahamas
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican
Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Jamaica
Kenya
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Turkiye
United
States
Venezuela
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Number
of letters
sent
1
1
1
5
Info fully
supplied
Info
partially
supplied
No
information
provided
NA/visit accepted
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
3
1
No
answer
1
3
1
1
1
1
1 Visit pending
1
1
1
2
1
1
2 Visit pending
1
3
1
2
2
1
1
Company
Number of
letters sent
FlyMex
1
Fly-select
1
Info fully
supplied
Info
partially
supplied
No
information
provided
No answer
NA
1
1
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Annex 3: Reactivation of Viv Ansanm alliance
Source: France 24
As mentioned in the Panel’s periodic update of March 2024, while Prime Minister Henry was in New York to attend highlevel meetings and rally support for the MSS deployment, G9 and G-Pèp gangs181 reactivated the Viv Ansanm alliance, which
was originally launched late September 2023.
As the Kenyan-led mission prepared to deploy, gangs intensified their offensives and adapted their strategies accordingly.
From 29 February 2024, the main gangs from the two rival coalitions (G9 and G-Pèp) formed an unprecedented common
front against the government, enabling coordinated attacks against State authority, and critical infrastructure in Port-auPrince, including police stations, prisons, the main seaport, businesses, banks, as well as the international and domestic
airports. Consequently, Viv Ansanm not only prevented the Prime Minister Ariel Henry from returning to Haiti but also
played a significant role in his ousting182.
Gangs then continued to deliberately threaten the political transition as well as the MSS, by trying to thwart police operations
– e.g by undertaking punctuated attacks against police premises – and committing abuses against the population.
While Viv Ansanm has enabled gangs to show improved coordination and tactical operating capabilities, it cannot be
disregarded that they have also become more powerful due to the backing of key influential figures, including political,
economic and security actors.
Regardless of gangs becoming more autonomous – funding their operations inter alia through kidnap for ransoms, hijacking
of trucks, illegal tolls, and extortion –, the recent crisis has highlighted connections between the actions of the gangs and
that of certain individuals such as Guy Philippe and Dimitri Herard. Other actors were also reportedly tempted to mobilize the
Viv Ansanm alliance as their ‘armed wing’, including businessmen involved in competition around seaports, and drug
traffickers that wanted to benefit from the union of gangs to facilitate drug-smuggling operations. Moreover, the destruction
of public infrastructures, such as courthouses and prisons, hampering investigations and judicial processes, also reportedly
favors a range of alleged criminals, including those involved in President Moise’s assassination 183.
__________________
Including those led by UN sanctioned individuals: Jimmy Cherizier (alias “Barbeque” -HTi.001), Johnson André (alias “Izo” HTi.002), Renel Destina (alias “Ti Lapli” - HTi.003), Wilson Joseph (alias “Lanmo San Jou”- HTi.004) and Vitelhomme Innocent
(HTi.005).
182
See (S/2024/253), 2024.
183
Interviews with national and international gang analysts, HNP officers, individual living in gang -controlled area, civil society
representatives, government representatives working in anti -gang operations, 2024.
181
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Despite the apparent unity of this alliance of connivence, since April 2024, inter-gang clashes were reported in the areas of
La Saline and Wharf Jérémie (leading to the withdrawal of Wharf Jérémie gang from Viv Ansanm) as well as in Mariani and
Carrefour. Also, the increasing number of kidnappings by certain gangs – despite a previous agreement of non-kidnapping
– reveals disagreements within the alliance184. Although each gang continues to pursue its financial interests (see Annex 41),
cohesion holds within the alliance as it is mainly driven by the threats of potential MSS operations 185.
__________________
184
185
UN confidential report, May 2024.
Interviews with international and national gang analysts, 2024 and UN confidential report, June 2024.
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Annex 4: Profiles of main gangs within the Viv Ansanm alliance, in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area186
Viv Ansanm
Gang / Leader
Affiliation
Locality
Headcount
Criminal activity187
G9
Delmas (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18,
20, 22, airport crossroad)
Around
150
members
Murder, robbery,
destruction of property,
hijacking of goods and
trucks, extorsion.
Delmas 6
Jimmy Cherizier alias
Barbeque (HTi.001)
Viv Ansanm’s spokesperson
Belekou
G9
Following the killing of Iskar
Andrice, Bendji is the new
leader
Belekou
Ti Bwa
G9
Christ-Roi Chery alias Chrisla
Krache Dife
Jean Gardy alias
Pece Pim Pim
G9
La
Saline
Gang de La Saline
Initially G9;
Bout Janjan
(escaped prison on
2 March 2024)
G-Pèp ally
(since 30
Janvier 2024)
Ti Bois, Fontamara and Carrefour
(excluding Mariani). Ti Bwa has
about 13 cells in Carrefour
G9
Murder, robbery,
extorsion, rape,
hijacking of goods and
trucks
Around
400
members
Murder, robbery, rape,
hijacking of goods and
trucks, extorsion,
targeted assassinations,
drug trafficking
Downtown Port-au-Prince, Rues
(St-Martin, Tiremasse, des Fronts
Fort, des Remparts, Monseigneur
Guilloux, du Quai, Pétion, du
Peuple, du Centre, Montalais, St
Laurent, Houille, Bonne Foi, Dr
Aubry, Pavée, Macajou, Borgella,
des Césars, des Miracles, des
Caserne), St-Joseph, Bas Bel-Air
Around
200
members
La Saline, Aviation, Nan Charbon,
part of Grand Rue
Around
100
members
Robbery,
murder, hijacking of
trucks and goods, rape
Duvivier, Cité Soleil
Around
150
members
Robbery, ransoming,
hijacking of goods and
trucks, extorsion
Simon Pelé
Around 80
members
Murder, arson,
rape, robbery,
hijacking of goods and
trucks
Boston and Carrefour Drouillard
Around
100
members
Murder,
arson,
rape, robbery,
hijacking of goods and
trucks
Gang de Pierre VI
Wilson Pierre alias Sonson
Around
200
members
Simon Pelé
Djouma Albert alias Djouma
(escaped prison on
2 March 2024)
G9
Nan Boston
G9
Mathias Sainthil
Robbery, rape,
kidnapping, murder,
destruction of property,
extorsion, hijacking of
trucks and goods
__________________
This Annex is based on interviews conducted in 2023 and 2024 with people living in gang -controlled areas, gang and political
analysts, representatives of foreign intelligence agencies, HNP officers and analysts, government representatives and confide ntial
reports.
187
This column includes main criminal activities that each gang has committed over the years. With Viv Ansanm, gangs have, in
addition, perpetrated attacks against State institutions and key infrastructures.
186
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Baz Pilate
Ezekiel Alexandre alias Ze
(escaped prison
on 2 March 2024)
Chyen Mechan
Claudy Celestin alias
Stevenson Pierre alias Chyen
Mechan
Claudy Célestin is a dismissed
civil servant of the Ministry of
the Interior
Fort Dimanche
After Mesidye was killed,
Resan is the new chief
Gang de Tokyo
Chalè
G9
Initially G9
ally;
Involved in
G9 interfighting,
(from
September
2023 until
Viv Ansanm
relaunching)
Initially G9
ally;
G-Pèp ally
1st and 2nd Avenues, Bolosse to
Cite Eternel, 2nd and 3rd ruelle Plus
(in 3rd Circumscription), and part
of Carrefour-Feuilles
Around
100
members
Santo 1 to Santo 19, Marin, and
Shadda districts in the commune
of Croix-de-Mission and Butte
Boyer in the commune of Tabarre.
Around
100
members
G9 ally
Tokyo
Few
members
who joined
La Saline
gang
Hijacking, robbery,
rape, extorsion
Around 15
members
Hijacking, robbery,
rape, extorsion
Around
200
members
Robbery, ransoming,
hijacking of goods and
trucks, extorsion, rape
of Brooklyn population
Terre Noire
G9 ally
Terre Noire
Jonel Catel (escaped prison
on 2 March 2024)
Haut Belair / Argentins
G-Pèp
Haut Bel-Air, Fort National
Around
250
members
G-Pèp ally
Tabarre commune (Torcelle,
Pernier and Haut Tabarre)
Around 80
members
Kempes Sanon
Kraze Barye
Vitelhomme Innocent
(HTi.005)
Bicentennaire, the area from Rue
Champs de Mars up to Village-deDieu, and part of Martissant (from
2B, in front of the police substation up to Martissant 4, until the
coast).
5 Segond
Johnson André alias Izo
(HTi.002)
Emmanuel Solomon alias
Manno
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G-Pèp ally
The bay of Port-au-Prince (port
Lafito, Cimenterie and les Moulins
d'Haiti, including Source Matelas
and Titanyen).
Checkpoints in Downtown Portau-Prince (Rue des Casernes, Rue
Pavée, Route de la République,
Bicentenaire, Portail Leogane,
Route Dehoux, Rue de la Réunion,
Rue Monseigneur Guilloux)
Murder, robberies,
extorsion
Attack against the
international airport
Control parts of RN1 and RN8
Fort Dimanche
Murder, robbery, rape,
hijacking of goods and
trucks, ransoming,
targeted assassinations,
drug trafficking
Around
1000
members
Kidnapping, extorsion,
hijacking of goods and
trucks, theft, rape,
murder,
violence against
civilian populations
Murder, political
crimes, drug
trafficking,
kidnapping, rape,
robbery, spoliation of
land, theft and sale of
houses, hijacking of
vehicles, extortion,
burglaries
Murder, drug
trafficking,
kidnapping, vehicle
theft, rape, armed
robbery, spoliation,
hijacking of trucks and
goods
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Grand Ravine
G-Pèp ally
Bougoy
Killik
Renel Destina alias Ti Lapli
(HTi.003)
From 5th Avenue Bolosse via
Martissant (1, 3, 5,
7,9,11,13,15,17,19, 21,23),
habitation Le Clerc, Fort-St Clair,
Route des Dalles, until Grand
Ravine, RN2; Mariani 2 until entry
of Leogane, (Carrefour
commune); Gressier commune,
part of Carrefour Feuilles.
Around
1500
members
Murder, kidnapping,
vehicle theft, rape,
armed robbery,
spoliation, hijacking of
trucks and goods.
Checkpoints in Dowtown Port-auPrince (Cemetery, CarrefourFeuille, Rue Magloire Ambroise,
Rue Edmond Paul, Rue Alerte,
Avenue Christophe, Rue Capois,
Place Jeremie)
400 Mawozo
Wilson Joseph alias Lanmo
San Jou
(HTi.004)
G-Pèp ally
Germine Joly
alias Yonyon
(sentenced to 35 years
imprisonment
in the United States)
Croix-des-Bouquets (except
Canaan), La Tremblay, Dargout,
Cottard, Papaye, Meyer,
Thomazeau, Lilavois (access to
Meyer)
Around
300
members
Also operates along the RN8 that
connects Port-au-Prince with the
border point of Jimaní.
Canaan
G-Pèp ally
Jeff Larose alias Jeff
Cannan, Onaville, Jerusalem,
Corail, Rosemberg, Lilavois, Bon
Repos
Around
600
members
Kidnapping, trafficking
of drugs and weapons,
spoliation, murder,
rape, armed robbery,
vehicle theft, hijacking
of goods, summary
executions
Kidnapping, land
appropriation, rape,
home burglary,
hijacking of goods and
vehicles, ransoming,
murder, drug
trafficking
Not part of Viv Ansanm
Gang and leaders
Affiliation
Brooklyn
Gabriel Jean-Pierre
alias Ti Gabriel
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Headcount
Criminal activity
G-Pèp
Brooklyn, Soleil
9, 4, 17 and 19,
Ti Zile, Wharf
Around 200 members
Extorsion, destruction of
property,
hijacking of goods, violence
against civilian populations
G9
Wharf Jérémie,
La
Saline, Fort
Dimanche
Around 300 members
Robbery
hijacking of goods and trucks,
extorsion
Wharf Jérémie
Micanor Altès alias
Monel Felix
Territory
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Annex 5: Some of the Viv Ansanm’s attacks
29 February: Canaan gang’s attack against Bon Repos police station
Stills from videos filmed on 29 February and shared with the Panel
The manager of Bon Repos police station killed and cut by Canaan gang members
Stills from videos filmed on 29 February and shared with the Panel
Graphic images with gruesome content
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Graphic images with gruesome content
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2 March: National prison escapees
Stills from videos filmed on 2 March and shared with the
Panel
Bodies of prisoners in front of the Penitentiary. One
of those, eaten by dogs
Photo shared with the Panel on 4 March
The National prison completely empty
2 March: Burning of the Peace Court of Croix-desBouquets commune
Photo shared with the Panel on 2 March
Stills from video shared on:
https://www.france24.com/fr/vidéo/20240305-spirale-deviolences-en-haïti-l-aéroport-attaqués-par-les-gangs
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3 March: Burning of Cabaret police station by Canaan gang members
Stills from video shared with the Panel on 3 March
3 March: Hospital Saint François de Salle vandalized by Grand Ravine and 5 Segond
Source: https://lenouvelliste.com/article/247070/scenes-de-pillage-a-lhopital-saint-francois-de-sales
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4 March: gang members attack Port-au-Prince international airport
Stills from video shared on: https://www.france24.com/fr/vidéo/20240305-spirale-de-violences-en-haïti-laéroport-attaqués-par-les-gangs
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6 March: Grand Ravine’s attack against Marché Salomon police station
Stills from video shared with the Panel on 7 March
7 March: Looting of containers by gangs and civilians at CPS container terminal
Stills from video shared with the Panel on 7 March
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9 March: 400 Mawozo leader at the Croix-des-bouquets
police station, mocking former Prime Minister Ariel
Henry
Stills from video shared with the Panel on 10 March
14 March: Shootings on the international airport
surroundings and against the building of HNP
Direction
Source: HNP facebook page
14 March: Attack against the house of the former HNP General Director (inset) in Croix-des-Bouquets commune
Source: UNPOL, March 2024. See also: https://lenouvelliste.com/article/247244/la-residence-du-chef-de-la-policepillee-et-incendiee
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16 March: Looting of containers at the CPS terminal
Still from video posted on social media on 16 March
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17 March: Residences burnt by Bel-Air gang
Still from video shared with the Panel on 17 March
17 March : A 15-year-old girl killed by a stray
bullet in Delmas 8 by Delmas 6 gang
Still from video shared with the Panel on 17 March
Graphic images with gruesome content
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26 and 27 March: looting of Health centers in Delmas 18
and Saint Martin 1
Still from video shared with the Panel on 27 March,
showing Delmas 18 Hospital totally destroyed
4 April: Canaan gang destroyed Bon Repos police
station using heavy equipment
Still from video shared with the Panel on 27 March
18 May 2024: demolition of the Cabaret civilian prison by Canaan gang
Still from video shared with the Panel on 18 March
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17 May 2024: Demolition of the Croix-desBouquets police station by 400 Mawozo
Still from video shared with the Panel on 17 March
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21 May 2024: 5 Segond demolishing the La Saline
sub-station
Still from video shared with the Panel on 22 March
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21 May 2024: 5 Segond destroying and setting fire to Martissant sub-police station
Photograph and still from video shared with the Panel on 22 March
13 August 2024: Cabaret police station destroyed by Canaan and 5 Sgond gangs
Still from video shared with the Panel on 14 August 2024
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Annex 6: Gang presence in the West department as of June 2024
Source: BINUH Quarterly report on the Human Rights situation, April-June 2024
The boundaries and names shown, and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance
by the United Nations.
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Source: BINUH Quarterly report on the Human Rights situation, April-June 2024
The boundaries and names shown, and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance
by the United Nations.
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Annex 7: Fracturing of G9 and weakening of Barbeque since late September 2023
According to the Panel’s interim report (S/24/253), late 2023 - before the re-launching of Viv Ansanm in February 2024- ,
severe fighting both within and between gangs marked not only the fracturing of the G9 coalition, led by Barbeque, but also
the aggressive expansion of G-Pèp, including over the main gateways of the capital, in addition to consolidating alliances
with Artibonite gangs12.
As a recall, a key trigger for the growing ruptures within G9 was the death of G9 gang leaders, such as of Tysson, the then
G9-affiliated Carrefour Drouillard (punitively executed by G9 for ignoring instructions of G9), and the accidental death of
Iskar Andrice13 (alias “Iskar”), leader of the Belekou gang and co-founder of G9. These deaths triggered territorial disputes
among G9-affiliated gangs and between G9 and G-Pèp. Moreover, G9 gangs also engaged in renewed fighting in La Saline
area of the Port-au-Prince commune188.
Whenever he is weakened, Barbeque strategically either calls for an alliance with other groups, so as not to be attacked,
and/or uses a political narrative (such as calling for dialogue) to try to escape police operations 189. Therefore, facing the
fragmentation of G9 and the growing threat by G-Pèp to the territory he controls, Barbeque was already increasing his
political narrative against the government. In January 2024, Barbeque published videos calling for a revolution to change
the existing political system for the benefit of all Haitians17. At the same time, he instigated the re-launching of Viv Ansanm,
on 29 February 2024190. In consequence, G9 and G-Pèp gangs then ceased their inter-fighting.
Currently, Barbeque is weakened by the ongoing police operations over his gang-held area, and the loss of economic
resources. Mid-March 2024, after gangs looted and set fire to the vacant private home of former HNP Director-General, in
the Cul-de-Sac plain, HNP operations were launched in lower Delmas area, Barbeque’s stronghold. Gang members were
killed and injured, and Barbeque’s residence was burnt. Since then, he has been mobile, seeking refuge with Viv Ansanm’s
gangs, including 5 Segond area, in Village-de-Dieu191.
__________________
See S/2-24/253.
Interviews with national and international gang analysts, June and July 2024.
190
Barbeque was one of the instigators of the alliance. Interview with gang analysts, July 2024.
191
UNPOL report, March 2024.
188
189
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Annex 8: Lanmo San Jou, leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, showing money including from extortion
Still from video shared with the Panel on 17 June 2024
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Annex 9: HNP warrant notices against Dimitri Herard and some gang leaders who escaped prison, on 2 March 2024
Source: HNP Facebook page
Leader of Simon Pele gang
Dimitri Herard
Leader of Baz Pilate gang
Leader of Gang Galil
Leader of Terre Noire gang
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Annex 10: Attacks over Solino neighborhood intensifed since February 2024
As a former policeman, Barbeque had close relationships with other HNP officers, including certain he accused on social media
of trafficking weapons with him. Some policemen residing in Solino neighborhood were his allies in the fight against gangs,
notably base 117, in Delmas 2, as well as Krache Dife and Les Argentins (also known as Bel-Air)192.
When Barbeque became the leader of the G9 coalition and of Delmas 6 gang, he still enjoyed some sort of arrangements with
certain police officers. For instance, at the time Barbeque was facing the fracturing of G9, he reportedly requested certain police
officers to prevent the Chyen Mechan gang of attacking other G9 gangs, such as Terre Noire and Pierre VI. In addition,
policemen and the Solino self-defense group were supported by Barbeque in the fight against Kempes, who wanted to take
over Solino neighborhood in order to access other territories193.
With Viv Ansanm reactivation and the recurrent gang attacks against police premises, the relationship between Barbeque and
these police officers strained. Barbeque, together with Krache Dife and Simon Pelé gangs, then joined hands with his oncetime rival, Kempes, to attack Solino and Delmas 24 neighborhoods, in view of opening access to the middle-class
neighborhoods of Bourdon, Chris Roi, Haut Delmas and Nazon. The aim is to bring in more income from kidnappings and
extortion of businesses in this wealthy area194.
As a result, high levels of violence have been recorded in Solino, with raids intensifying since February 2024, and at least 128
people, including 13 children, killed or injured, since March 2024. More than 5,100 people were displaced to other areas.
Several victims were shot while inside their residences or in the streets 195.
The Solino self-defense group, which is particularly well organized with different commissions (logistics, kitchen, security) 196,
has barricaded the key arteries surrounding the neighborhood to prevent incursions from the gangs.
__________________
Interviews with government official working on gang-related issues and national and international gang analysts, 2024.
Idem.
194
BINUH Quarterly report on the human rights situation in Haiti, April -June 2024 and interview with gang analysts and
government representative working in anti-gang operations, 2024.
195
Idem.
196
Interview with international gang analyst, June 2024.
192
193
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Annex 11: Attack against UTAG police officers
Weapons recovered from police officers by Barbeque
Still from video filmed on 8 June 2024
Armored vehicle burnt
Still from video filmed on 8 June 2024
Corpses of two police officers
Photos shared with the Panel on 9 June 2024
Graphic images with gruesome content
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Annex 12: Expansion over southern communes of the West department
Partial destruction of Gressier police station by Grand Ravine before the finally takeover on 7 July 2024
Stills from video shared on 2 July 2024
Driver burnt by Grand Ravine gang members in
Gressier
Still from video shared on 1 July 2024
103 Zombie group of Grand Ravine invaded
Leogane commune, on 20 July 2024
Still from video shared on 20 July 2024
Graphic images with gruesome content
103 Zombie leader,
Ti Bébé Bougòy
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Annex 13: Increased violence by Artibonite gangs
Vehicle burnt by Gran Grif at RN1
Still from video shared on 15 July 2024
‘Show of force’ by Gran Grif in Moreau Paye, Petite
Rivière de l'Artibonite commune
Still form video diffused on 12 July 2024
Farmers killed by Gran Grif in Moreau Drouet locality, Liancourt commune, on 5 April 2024
Stills from video and photos shared on 5 April 2024
Graphic image with
gruesome content
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Graphic image with
gruesome content
Graphic image with
gruesome content
Graphic image with
gruesome content
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Residents massacred in the commune of Terre Neuve by the Kokorat San Ras gang, on 15 June 2024
Photos shared with the Panel on 16 June 2024
Graphic image with gruesome content
showing an injured baby
Graphic image with gruesome content showing a
dead woman
Graphic image with gruesome content showing a dead
woman
Graphic image with gruesome content showing a
dead man
07 April 2024: Kokorat San Ras members killed a member of a self-defence group in Joanis locality
Graphic image with gruesome content showing
man cut in pieces and killed
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Graphic image with gruesome content showing
man cut in pieces and killed
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Annex 14: Profile of Gangs in the Artibonite department197
Gang and
Leaders
Gran Grif (Savien gang)
Luckson Elan alias General
Luckson
Kokorat San Ras
Locality
Petite Rivière de
l’Artibonite, Savien, Liancourt,
Pont Sondé, Carrefour Paye,
Moreau Drouet, Hatte,
Patchwal
Strength
About 300 members
Controls part of RN1, and the
secondary road 11, from Pont
Sondé to Mirebalais, on Morne
Pierre Paul and Chandelle,
Liancourt commune
La Croix Périsse,
Commune de
l’Estère, Ti Bwadom, Gros
Morne
Ferdens Tilus alias Meyer
Around 100 members
Controls parts of the RN1 and
of the RN5, linking the BassinBleu and Gros-Morne
communes
Coalition des Révolutionnaires
pour Sauver l'Artibonite (Jean
Denis coalition)
Jean Denis
Around 100 members
Gonaïves
Around 50 members
Palmis
Around 40 members
Gonaives
Around 50 members
Ti-Mepris
Raboteau
Wilford Ferdinand alias
Ti-Will
Ti Grif
Izolan
Decahos
Paulda
Main criminal activity
Murder, rape,
robbery,
destruction
of property, hijacking of
trucks and goods,
violence against
civilian population,
kidnapping
Murder, robbery, rape
kidnapping,
hijacking of
trucks and goods
Violence against gang
members and civilian
population from gang
member areas, murder,
destruction of property
Murder,
extortion,
street blocking, drug
trafficking, destruction
of property
Murder, rape,
robbery,
destruction
of property, hijacking of
trucks and goods,
violence against
civilian populations,
kidnapping
Robbery and drug
trafficking
__________________
This Annex is based on interviews conducted between February 2023 and July 2024 with people living in gang -controlled areas,
gang analysts, HNP analysts, government representatives and confidential reports.
197
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Annex 15: Gang controlled area in the Artibonite department as of August 2024
Source: Map elaborated based on confidential data
The boundaries and names shown, and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance
by the United Nations.
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Annex 16: Gangs adapting their strategy ahead of MSS operations
Blockade of the main road leading to the city center of Croix-des-Bouquets by the 400 Mawozo gang
Photo shared on social media on 8 July 2024
The construction of a wharf by Izo in Village de Dieu neigborhood to facilitate maritime movements
Source: Ayibopost
Image of Izo’s drone tracking MSS operations, in June 2024
Stills from video shared in June 2024
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400 Mawozo displaying recently acquired arms and ammunition
Stills from video broadcasted on 31 July 2024
Stills from video broadcasted on 5 August 2024
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Annex 17: 400 Mawozo’s acquisition of firearms and attacks against Ganthier commune (July 2024)
New acquisition of weapons and ammunition by 400 Mawozo
Stills from video shared on 18 July 2024
Ganthier police station burnt by 400 Mawozo
Stills from video shared on 20 July 2024
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400 Mawozo demolished the Ganthier police
station, on 25 July 2024
Stills from video diffused on 25 July 2024
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Members of the 400 Mawozo gang set fire to the Ganthier customs office on 04 August 2024
Photo and stills from video broadcasted on 04 August 2024
Lamo San Jou with gang members, including minors, that participated in the attack
Stills from video broadcasted on 04 August 2024
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Annex 18: Active campaign calling for Bwa Kale in anticipation of the MSS deployment
Messages from social media shared with the Panel on 28 May 2024
Translation : Donne la main à ton voisin et
demande-lui s'il a déjà acheté sa machette !
Dis-lui, c'est Bwa Kale qu'il faut privilégier
en ce moment.
Give your neighbor a hand and ask him if he
has already bought his machete!
Tell him, it's Bwa Kale who should be the
priority at the moment
Translation : Que tous les Haïtiens crient :
Vive Bwa Kale. A tous ceux qui se mettent
dans une posture d'intellectuel et qui disent
qu’on ne doit pas agir comme les bandits, on
doit les dire la violence contre la violence
n'est pas une violence. On n’a jamais acheté
du thé pour les personnes souffrant du cancer.
Aux grands maux, les grands remèdes.
Let all Haitians shout: Long live Bwa Kale.
To all those who put themselves in the
position of an intellectual and who say that
we must not act like bandits, we must tell
them that violence against violence is not
violence. We have never bought tea for
people suffering from cancer. Big problems
require big solutions.
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Annex 19: Attempts by gangs to win the sympathy of the population
Canaan gang, led by Jeff, gives presents to women on mothers’ day
Stills from video shared with the Panel on 28 May 2024
Cash handouts by gang members
Residents of Cité Soleil go out after the destruction of protective walls separating gang-held areas, following a
peace pleadge by gangs in the area (24 July 2024)
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Annex 20: Anti-MSS demonstration by Delmas 6 gang
26 June 2024: Members of the Delmas 6 gang demonstrated while singing that they were ready to defend
themselves against Kenyan police officers
Stills from video diffused on 26 June 2024
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Annex 21: Seizures conducted on their way to Haiti or at Haitian ports of entry since the creation of the sanctions
regime in October 2022
Table: Seizures conducted at Haiti’s ports of entry or on their way to Haiti between the adoption of resolution 2356
on 22 October 2022 and 1st July 2024.
Date
Location/auth
orities
Firearms
Ammunition
Other materiel
Information
1 magazine
The pistol was
discovered in a parcel
being shipped to Haiti
Miami Airport
25 October 2022
9mm handgun
USA
8 November 2022
31 December
2022
Two Haitian women
were arrested while
attempting to cross the
border into Haiti in a
private vehicle.
12,000 rounds of
7.62x39mm
Elias Pina,
Dominican
Republic
10,160 rounds of
5.56x45mm
989 rounds of 9x19mm
Seizure from a
container coming from
the US. One individual
was arrested in Haiti.
One revolver
41 rounds
The revolver was
concealed in a sofa
One 9mm
handgun
Eight 9mm rounds
Cap Haitien
Haiti
Miami port
11 January 2023
USA
Cap Haïtien
24 April 2023
Haiti
7 June 2023
CPS container
park– Port au
Prince
PA-15 5.56mm
rifle
4 boxes of 12-gauge
cartridges (100 in total)
2 knives
340 rounds of 5.56x45mm
5 magazines
115 rounds of 9mm
1 helmet
Haiti
Found in a container
transported by the Sara
Express coming from
the Miami River
(Antillean Marine
Shipping).
Container coming from
Miami. Some materiel
concealed in a popcorn
machine. The rifle was
purchased for the first
time in the US in 2017.
Two individuals
arrested in Haiti.
2023
(Unknown date
between January
and June)
Miami
2 pistols
1 magazine
USA
2023
(Unknown date
between January
and June)
Miami
23 vests
USA
Dajabon
18 October 2023
1,850 rounds of 9mm
Dominican
Republic
USA
1 revolver
5 rounds of S&W .40 cal
Miami
357 Magnum
36 rounds of 9x19mm
1 November 2023
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A minor was
intercepted while trying
to exit the DR
Commercial Vessel
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Several handguns
USA
1 automatic rifle
South Florida
Several semiautomatic rifles
Unknown date
Unknown quantity of
ammunition
‘35 cannon
30 November
2023
L-1 37mm’
USA
[the Panel was
not able to
identify what
exact item it is]
Miami
Commercial aircraft
19,390 USD in
cash
2 December 2023
International
Airport
50 rounds of .45
Six radios
40 rounds of 5.56x45mm
Haiti
150 rounds of 9x19mm
One video
surveillance
system
25 of 12 gauge cartridges
22 December
2023
Cap Haitien
9mm handgun
Haiti
5.56x45mm rifle
Nine 5.56x45mm
rifles
Cap Haitien
05 April 2024
Haiti
Three 7.62x39mm
rifles
One flak jacket
Cap Haitien
Haiti
Seizure from container
from Florida
92 rounds of 9mm
3 flak jackets
9 rounds of .45
1 helmet
78 rounds of 5.56x45mm
7 magazines
Serial number of the
handgun was erased
34 magazines
Seizures from
container, commercial
vessel, from Port
Everglades
999 rounds of
ammunition (7.62x39mm,
5.56x45mm, .40 S&W,
9mm, .25 ACP)
14 handguns
29 April 2024
Passenger arriving from
NY on commercial
aircraft
One .40 handgun
One 9x19mm
handgun
Cap Haitien
11 June 2024
Haiti
13 rounds of 9x19mm
2 magazines
150 rounds of
ammunition
Conversion kit
(handgun
to
rifle)
>23 handguns
TOTAL
>14 semiautomatic rifle
>26, 238 rounds of
various calibers
Table elaborated by the Panel based on data provided by Haitian, Dominican and US law enforcement agencies, 2023 and
2024.
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Annex 22: Details of seizures operated on their way or at ports of entry in Haiti during the reporting period.
Seizures from the US
Case 1: On 2 December 2023, the Haitian authorities seized 265 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, six radios, one
flak jacket, and a video surveillance system, as well as a 19,390 USD in cash from a US citizen travelling on a commercial
flight from New York to Haiti198.
Source: VBI, 2023
Case 2 : on 22 December 2023, in Cap-Haitien, the Haitian authorities seized a 9mm handgun, a 5.56x45mm semi-automatic
rifle, and 179 rounds of ammunition found in a container coming from Port Everglades, as well as one helmet and three flak
jackets199. The Panel has sent a tracing request to the US.
Source: Confidential
Case 3: on 5 April 2024, in Cap-Haitien, Haitian Customs seized 26 firearms and 999 rounds ammunition found in a
container originating from Florida200. This is the largest seizure of firearms intercepted at any port of entry in Haiti since the
establishment of the sanctions regime. The Panel interviewed Haitian Police and Customs officers, sent a tracing request to
the US, and interviewed the freight forwarder and the shipping broker. The results of its inquiries have facilitated a mapping
of the criminal network involved. See Annex 23.
__________________
Interviews with representative of Customs, December 2023, and with a HNP investigator, February 2024.
199
Confidential report, 2023 and interview with HNP officer, January 2024.
200
Interviews with Customs and HNP officers, 2024.
198
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Source: HNP, 2024
Case 4: on 29 April 2024, two handguns with two magazines and 13 rounds of 9x19mm ammunition were discovered in a
container that arrived into Cap-Haitien from Port Everglades201. The firearms had been sent by a Haitian national (who had
recently settled in the US) to his wife in Haiti 202. A tracing request was sent to the US.
Source: HNP Facebook page, 30.04.24
Case 5: on 11 June 2024, in Cap-Haitien, a conversion kit (used to transform a handgun into a rifle) and a 9mm high capacity
magazine – both unusual items for Haiti – as well as 150 rounds of ammunition (100 x 9x19mm and 50 x .38) were
discovered in container KOSU-496-108-8 arriving from Port Everglades.
__________________
201
202
Interview with a Customs officer, 2024.
Interview with a judicial source, July 2024.
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Source: Confidential
Seizures in/from the Dominican Republic
The Dominican authorities have made some seizures during the reporting period with two small seizures of 9mm
ammunition between September 2023 and April 2024 in Dajabon and Elias Pina, and a larger one of 1,850 rounds of 9mm
ammunition in Dajabon, in October 2023, from a minor attempting to cross the border into Haiti 203.
In Haiti, in December 2023, the HNP arrested three individuals in Mirebalais (Centre department) transporting 9.960 rounds
of ammunition. Based on the Panel’s physical inspection of the seizure, it included 5.56x45mm ammunition produced by
various manufacturers in the US and Europe, some as recently as 2022. The ammunition was sent across the border from
the Dominican Republic and collected by accomplices on the Haitian side 204.
Source: Panel of Experts.
In July 2024, 5000 rounds of 5.56x45mm ammunition were seized by the Police in Mirebalais, Centre department, after the
rider of a motorcycle was shot by a self-defense group 205 . A second motorcyclist escaped. According to the Haitian
__________________
Information provided by the Dominican authorities, June 2024.
Interviews with one senior HNP officer and one HNP investigator, January 2024. Interview with Mirebalais local authority,
February 2024.
205
Interview with Mirebalais local authorities, August 2024.
203
204
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authorities, the ammunition crossed over from the Dominican Republic. The ammunition was produced by Fiocchi
Munizione (Italy) – the Panel sent a tracing request to the Italian authorities in August 2024.
Source: confidential
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Annex 23: 5 April 2024 seizure in Cap-Haitien
On 5 April 2024, the Haitian authorities seized 26 firearms as well as ammunition found in a container (no. KOSU4514876)
that had arrived into Cap-Haitien from Port Everglades, Florida, on 27 March. The container was being transported by the
vessel ‘Rainer D’ operated by Ocean King which routinely serves this route. The seizure is the largest one since the
establishment of the sanctions regime in October 2022.
The Panel presents the evidence it has gathered on this case below; however, the Panel withholds the names of individuals
and companies involved – either knowingly or unknowingly – as national investigations are ongoing.
This case illustrates the types of networks involved in arms trafficking from the United States, their modus operandi, and
the challenges associated with effectively enforcing the United Nations arms embargo on Haiti.
Detection
The materiel was brought into Haiti concealed in two separate boxes both bearing the number ‘75’, packed in amongst many
other boxes and different kinds of packages. The first box had earlier been picked up by a senior Customs officer, who had
put it into his vehicle with the intention of removing it from the port undetected. When the second box was opened during
the search of the container and weapons were discovered, the Customs officer removed the box from his vehicle and
promptly left the port; he was arrested several days later and was removed from his position in Customs.
Source: Confidential
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Source: Confidential
Materiel seized
Full details of the weapons recovered during the seizure are provided below. Specifically, the search yielded 12 rifles,
including 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm, 14 pistols, and 999 rounds of ammunition (278 x 9x19mm, 36 x .40, 633 x
5.56X45mm, 52 x 7.62x39mm) as well as 34 magazines.
On 15 April 2024, the Panel sent a tracing request to the US authorities in order to identify the chain of custody of the
materiel. The Panel also requested the US authorities to share information about the sender and the ship that had transported
the materiel, including any related documentary evidence and any information about the network(s) and the intended enduser(s). A response is still pending.
Trafficking network
Senders from the United States
Three Haitian brothers have been identified as being among the primary actors involved in the trafficking ring responsible
for bringing these weapons into Haiti, including a former HNP officer who is the leader of the group. While two of the
brothers are based in the US and used straw buyers to purchase the materiel, one is based in Haiti and is in charge of selling
it on. This was not their first illicit transfer to Haiti.
Corrupt Customs officers facilitating entry of materiel into Haiti.
In Cap-Haitien, Customs officers were paid to facilitate the passage of the illicit goods. Although only one Customs officer
was arrested, more officers are implicated and investigations continue206.
Following this seizure, the Customs authorities established a commission to travel from Port-au-Prince to look into the work
of the Cap-Haitien office. In addition to the Customs officer who had attempted to remove the materiel from the port and
was subsequently fired, one other Customs officer was suspended for four months and two others received cautions 207.
__________________
206
207
Confidential source, June 2024.
Confidential source, June 2024.
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Distribution
Enquiries indicate that the clearing agent who fled the port when he saw that the boxes had been searched acts as an
intermediary with one of the three brothers in charge of selling materiel to end-users. The ring seems to sell to anyone and
is not attached to any specific gang or other armed actor.
Transportation to Haiti
Freight forwarder
The leader of the network used a freight forwarder who himself used a broker to ship the container to Haiti. The Panel
interviewed both the freight forwarder and the shipping broker during a fact-finding mission to Florida in June 2024. The
Panel interviewed the freight forwarder who denied being involved and explained that he was not aware of the content of
the boxes in which the weapons and ammunition had been found.
As the Panel has already reported in Annex 29 of S/2023/674, there are many Haitian nationals or individuals of Haitian
descent who work as freight forwarders in South Florida. The freight forwarder is a US citizen of Haitian origin. As is
common practice among freight forwarders, he rented a yard in a warehouse in Port Everglade and rented a container from
the shipping broker. His job consists of filling the container with personal effects or relatively small quantities of goods from
a range of individuals. The container in question for instance included goods from more than 100 individuals and included
food, oil, clothes, and family items.
Freight forwarding is loosely regulated and freight forwarders do not control the merchandise they fill in containers. The
freight forwarder explained that, typically, clients arrive at the yard to hand over goods that are already packaged and sealed.
He went on to say that the person who had dropped the two boxes was not previously known to him, so he asked him to
send a copy of his ID by WhatsApp. This was subsequently deleted from the conversation as a result of which the forwarder
said he was not able to recover it. The sender had paid 150 USD cash.
With regards to organizing the shipment and distributions of packages, the freight forwarder uses number codes on parcels
and attributed the number ‘75’ to the boxes transporting the arms and ammunition. The consignee who collects the parcels
at the port, may not be the final end user and may just be an additional step in the chain of custody.
Shipping broker
The shipping company is charged with renting a container out to a freight forwarder, to bring it to the yard and take it back
to the shipping line once it is ready to be shipped. Based on our enquiries, it is unlikely that the shipping company was aware
of the transportation of the firearms.
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Annex 24: New equipment in the hands of gangs
The Panel has noticed that a number of gangs have acquired new types materiel and larger calibers, particularly the two
most powerful gangs, 5 Segond and Grand Ravine which, along with 400 Mawozo, continue to be the most prolific in terms
of their ability to procure materiel and to supply allied gangs with weapons and ammunition.
7.62x39mm
Although gangs continue to exclusively use small arms, the Panel has noticed a gradual shift towards higher calibers since
its first mandate. Historically, gangs have typically used craft weapons, handguns, 12-gauge shotguns, and later 5.56x45mm
semi-automatic (AR-type) rifles. Over the past two years, they have increasingly been trying to procure 7.62x39mm semiautomatic, as well as some automatic (AK-type) rifles. Although the caliber of these rifles is not significantly larger than the
AR-type, they have more stopping power and result in more damage. While AK-type rifles and/or their ammunition coming
from the US and the Dominican Republic have featured in seizures conducted in Haiti (see Annex 21), a very limited number
were traced back to Venezuela and the Panel has also received information of transfers from other countries in South America
which it is looking into. 7.62x39mm rifles and their ammunition are currently more expensive than the AR-variants and
5.56x45mm ammunition (or .223).
7.62x51mm
During its last mandate, the Panel had already identified that some gangs were in possession of limited amounts of
7.62x51mm rifles (see S/2023/674). Most cases involved firearms diverted from HNP stockpiles including some generalpurpose machine guns. This higher caliber materiel remains rare in Haiti, though a quantity of the ammunition was seized
previously (see Eglise Episcopale case, S/2023/674) and some has also featured this year in seizures made during Police
operations208.
Recent exchanges with HNP officers involved in anti-gang operations indicate that they are seeing increasing amounts of
this materiel during operations. Indeed, a video209 posted in March 2024 mimicking the codes of the “special forces” units
of Latin American drug cartels shows members of the ‘Unité Village de Dieu’ (UVD) – presented as the ‘tactical corps’ of
the 5 Segond gang headed by Izo – wearing military uniforms with UVD patches, standing alongside refurbished
camouflaged vehicles and carrying newly-procured weapons, including FAL-pattern (7.62x51mm) rifles (see images
below).
Confidential sources explained that these rifles along with the uniforms, were retrieved by Dimitri Herard after he escaped
prison and took refuge in Village de Dieu. However, the original source of the rifles remains unclear. Originally produced
by FN Herstal in Belgium, FAL rifles are among the most common in the world, manufactured in multiple countries (both
legally through licenses sold by FN Herstal and reproduced illegally in several locations), including in South America, and
are in service in more than 80 states across the globe (the Forces Armées d’Haiti (FADH) have also procured FALs in the
past) 210.
12.7x99mm (.50 cal)
In the previous mandate, the Panel reported on the concerning attempts by gangs to procure 12.7x99mm ammunition, a
caliber used for heavy machine guns and anti-materiel rifles. The Panel is aware that Ti Bwa and Grand Ravine have this
type of ammunition and that attempts to import .50 cal rifles have been made (one was seized in Miami in 2022 on its way
to Haiti and 400 Mawozo also managed to acquire one in the US – See S/2023/674). More recently, interviews with HNP
officers from operational units indicate that 12.7x99mm was used in the downtown area of Port-au-Prince in July. One senior
anti-gang officer told the Panel that four or five of these weapons are currently owned by gangs, with Izo and Jeff Canaan
both having one each211. .50cal represent a significant risk for HNP officers and their partners during operations.
__________________
See for instance, HNP official Facebook page, 9 February 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx-5DY6lLqo
210
Interview with a FAL expert, June 2024.
211
Interview with a senior representative of an HNP operational unit, July 2024.
208
209
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Annex 25: The use of uncrewed aerial systems by gangs
Although uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), more commonly referred as drones, are not covered by the UN arms embargo
(resolutions 2699 and 2700 - 2023), their acquisition has had a significant impact on the fighting capacity of gangs. The
Panel believes that it is important to monitor their transfers and that, in addition to small arms and light weapons and their
ammunition, the embargo should cover spare parts, and any other type of military materiel, as well as training, financial and
technical assistance as mentioned in the original embargo (see paragraph 11 of S/RES/2653 – 2022) – see Recommendations.
The Panel believes that the provision of drones to gangs, even commercial ones, constitutes an assistance to criminal groups
and therefore meets designation criteria - see criteria d), paragraph 16 of resolution 2653 (2022).
Gang leaders, including Chrisla, Izo, Jeff Canaan, and Vitelhomme, have increasingly been deploying UAS 212 which –
though they do not yet appear to have been weaponised – have contributed to significantly enhancing their fighting
capability.
Evidence collected by the Panel shows, for instance, that both Izo and Vitelhomme have been using UAS since at least early
2023 to conduct reconnaissance, identify targets and coordinate attacks:
▪
▪
On 2 March 2024, Izo remotely coordinated an attack against the national penitentiary leading to the escape of
thousands of prisoners, including gang members, drug traffickers and arms traffickers (see photo below).
In early 2023, Vitelhomme used a drone in a battle with the HNP swat team (see photo below)
UAS identified by the Panel include ‘quadcopters’ produced by one of the largest manufacturers of commercially available
UAS. Exports or imports of these into Haiti are not restricted and are therefore very difficult to control; furthermore, given
the general obsolete state of arms control legislation in the country, the use of UAS is not controlled or restricted in Haiti.
Photo: Izo coordinating the attack against the national penitentiary through drone footage, April 2024 (source: Tik Tok)
__________________
212
Interview with a senior representative of an HNP operational unit, July 2024.
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Photo: UAS belonging to Vitelhomme downed by the HNP during an operation in April 2023 (source: confidential)
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Annex 26: Brigade de Surveillance des Aires Protégées (BSAP)
The BSAP was created by the Agence Nationale des Aires Protégées (National Agency for Protected Areas - ANAP) whose
official mandate is to protect biodiversity and manage the National System of Protected Areas – see 2024 Interim Report
S/2024/253 213. With the absence of a legal order establishing the Brigade it is difficult to identify its date of creation.
Reportedly, the ANAP has had a small group of poorly equipped armed agents composed of former members of the Defence
Forces since its creation in 2006. The group’s headcounts and scope of tasks developed significantly from 2014 and then
from 2017 when the ANAP became a General Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and the appointment of Jeantel
Joseph, the former secretary of state for public security under President Jovenel Moise, as the Director of the ANAP 214.
While the legal grounds for the creation of the brigade are highly contested – the Haitian constitution mentions that the
Police and Army are the only armed bodies that can exist on the national territory 215 – the Brigade is not under the control
of the government and some units largely respond to the orders of its (now dismissed) leader, Jeantel Joseph. He has a close
relationship with Guy Philippe as they both belonged to the same political entity in 2015. In 2024, Jeantel Joseph, as the
coordinator of the Reveil National pour la Souveraineté d’Haiti (RNSH) political coalition openly backed Guy Philippe. On
17 January 2024, Jeantel Joseph was also mentioned in a judicial order in relation to the assassination of President Moise in
2021 for having provided the necessary logistics to the mercenaries who killed the president216.
BSAP agents are mostly based in rural and border areas but have increasingly been seen carrying weapons in urban areas
where they often carry out police-like work in the absence of effective State security. Local authorities in a range of
departments have relationships on various levels with local BSAP units, with some commending their security work and
confirming that there is a degree of ongoing collaboration. Interviews with confidential sources indicate that some local
authorities and local stakeholders pay BSAP agents to provide security.
Civil society organizations and local authorities have also raised concerns about members of the BSAP committing crimes,
including blocking roads and demanding payment for safe passage 217. Some BSAP members – some of whom are deployed
along the border with the Dominican Republic and southern departments – are reported to be involved in cross-border
smuggling of goods, including drugs218. Some members of the BSAP have also been involved in kidnappings, gang activities
and the illicit trafficking and possession of firearms 219. Finally, several confidential sources mentioned that some BSAP
units are working for local politicians and businessmen, including Rony Célestin in Hinche.
Recent developments
The BSAP recently rose to prominence during the tensions around the construction of the canal off the Massacre River near the border with the Dominican Republic. Construction of the canal became a question of national pride for many
Haitians which BSAP exploited to win the hearts of many through its provision of ‘security’ to the site 220 with little reaction
from the Government. BSAP boosted its ranks at the time of this event.
After his return to the country in November 2023, Guy Philippe was protected by agents of the BSAP who have also
participated in anti-government protests he initiated. This led to more volunteers joining the Brigade. Several of the senior
members are former acolytes of Guy Philippe from the 2004 coup.
__________________
Accueil - ANAP
Confidential report, February 2024.
215
See article 263.1 of the Haitian Constitution.
216
République d’Haiti. Ordonnance du 17 Janvier 2024. Assassinat du Président Jovenel Moise.
217
Interviews with local authorities of Plateau Central, February 2024.
218
Interview with senior HNP officer, February 2024.
219
Confidential report, 2021. Interview with human rights defender, January 2024.
220
See for instance, Daudier, Valery. 2023. Canal sur la riviere Massacre : des agents de la BSAP et des membres de la population
en protection des travaux. Le Nouvelliste.
213
214
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Despite very few reactions from political actors throughout the country, civil society organizations and some law
enforcement and Army representatives raised concerns at the time, including about the potential for deadly clashes involving
the Brigade while the country was experiencing severe anti-government protests221.
Jeantel Joseph did not comply with the order from the government to provide a list of agents and their firearms. On 23
January 2024, Joseph was officially dismissed as Director of ANAP by an arrete in the Moniteur (Official journal of Haiti)
which also created a Technical Restructuring Committee in charge of assessing the ANAP and providing recommendations
to improve its management222. The following day, BSAP agents and other actors attacked the Customs office in Ouanaminthe
in reprisal223. At the date of drafting, the Committee is still not operational.
On 29 January 2024, the government issued a communique requiring people affiliated with the ANAP to report in and
register at the closest Ministry of Environment office and banning any armed BSAP agent from operating within urban
areas224. While some members of the BSAP complied, others did not, and have continued to recognize Joseph as their leader
and to carry firearms in urban areas. During the peak of demonstrations on 5, 6 and 7 February 2024, BSAP agents
participated in anti-government protests fomented by Guy Philippe in several cities, including Port-au-Prince, Mirebalais225,
and Gonaives226. Several armed incidents took place in Port-au-Prince on 7 February where clashes with the HNP resulted
in the deaths of five BSAP agents and the arrests of three others 227, while BSAP agents killed two civilians and injured two
more in Mirebalais228. National investigations are ongoing.
Composition and Structure
The composition and structure of the BSAP remains very vague as most agents and units across the country are not
registered. Interviews with senior BSAP agents indicate that the Brigade counts around 6000 members 229, the vast majority
of whom are ‘volunteers’ given that only 56 individuals are formally appointed by the government (civil servant status) and
82 have a contractual status. Most official BSAP positions were distributed by Jeantel Joseph. The BSAP is mostly composed
of men between 20 and 70 years old.
Interviews with BSAP agents and local authorities indicate that volunteers have to join with their firearms and also have to
purchase their uniform. Reasons for joining include search for revenues, local prestige and authority, support the community
and regularisation of firearms (see below).
Administratively, the BSAP is headed up by a national coordinator who sits in Port-au-Prince and who is a civil servant of
the ANAP. However, while some units do respond to this individual, others refuse to recognize his legitimacy 230.
There are currently seven departmental directorates (Central, Ouest, North, North West, North East, South East and South)
and another is currently being created in the Nippes. During its interviews with local authorities across the country, the Panel
was told that BSAP units continue to multiply across the country, including outside of the departments mentioned above.
For instance, most recently a commander requested the local authorities in Petit-Goave to establish a BSAP unit there.
Typically, a senior member of an existing BSAP unit would leave the unit to set up a new cell elsewhere.
A commander the Panel spoke to directly said that he recruits locally, has registered the volunteers and has information on
each of them. He, and other BSAP agents, explained that units across the country vary from a few dozen men to over 1000.
__________________
For instance, on 6 February 2024, the Military Association of Haiti released a communique warning of potential armed clashes
between BSAP, the HNP, the Army and gangs. Association Militaire d’Haiti. Note. 6 February 2024.
222
See le Moniteur, 23 January 2024.
223
Interview with senior Customs officer, February 2024.
224
Communiqué de Presse – Communication Haïti
225
Interview with representative of Mirebalais local authorities, February 2024.
226
Interview with representative of Gonaives local authorities, February 2024.
227
Information provided by UNPOL
228
Interview with representative of Mirebalais local authorities, February 2024.
229
Although this number was cited by several senior BSAP agents, the Panel believes that it may be underestimated.
230
Interviews with BSAP agents, June and July 2024.
221
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There are serious rivalries within the BSAP with unit commanders in the same area vying for legitimacy. This will likely be
a significant challenge for any effort aiming at managing the Brigade and put it under State control.
Illicit firearms
Analysis of firearms displayed by members of BSAP indicates that they have a range of small arms, including craft weapons,
handguns, shotguns and semi-automatic rifles (see image) that they have sourced illicitly. From discussions with BSAP
agents and ANAP personnel, firearms are procured from various sources (details below).
In 2017, a limited number of 12 gauge rifles (30-40) were donated to the BSAP headquarter by the Police. In addition,
former demobilized members of the Forces Armées d’Haiti (FADH) joined the BSAP and brought their firearms with them.
Owning a firearm is often a prerequisite for joining BSAP; some units have also purchased weapons with money they
received from local authorities or in exchange services provided to the local population. A BSAP agent also explained that
some local business operators join the BSAP with their weapons as they believe the registration process will legalize it.
Two BSAP agents told the Panel that a large part of the materiel used by BSAP agents is illicitly imported from the
Dominican Republic.
Source: still from video interview with head of BSAP unit of Lascahobas, posted on social media, 2024.
BSAP agents interviewed by the Panel explained that they want recognition and to be officially integrated into the BSAP
with a formal status and salary. Discussions with civil society organizations and Haitian security specialists indicate that it
is critical that the authorities launch the work of the Restructuring Committee to document agents, vet them and provide
them with a formal contract, as well as register firearms and confiscate those that are not required for official forestry work.
Some interlocutors suggested that a DDR-type programme could be a solution.
Conclusion
The Panel is of the view that most BSAP units are acting outside the mandate of ANAP and do not protect the environment.
They act out of governmental control, are increasing in headcount and actually outnumber gang members in the country.
The requirement of registering with a firearm fuels arms trafficking further and potential arms embargo violations.
The Panel is concerned about the likely use of autonomous BSAP units by political actors, particularly during elections, to
the detriment of the peace, security and stability of Haiti as well as by criminal networks trafficking arms and drugs. The
Panel continues to monitor the involvement of BSAP agents in activities meeting designation criteria, including arms
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trafficking. Finally, the lack of environmental control exposes natural resources of the country to illicit exploitation and
trade, further destabilising Haiti.
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Annex 27: Drug seizures by Dominican authorities
On 24 May 2024, four sacks containing 39 packages of cannabis, with approximately 384 pounds, were seized in Elias Piña,
coming from Haiti. The sacks were abandoned by four individuals who escaped after noticing the presence of Dominican
authorities231.
Source: Confidential report, July 2024
On 16 March 2024, Dominican authorities informed that two individuals were arrested, and 49.5 pounds of cannabis were
seized in a vehicle in Puerto Llano, Elias Piña232.
On 24 January 2024, Dominican authorities seized five packages of cannabis, with an approximate weight of 26.3 pounds,
in Pedernales. The individuals involved fled to Haiti233.
Source: Confidential report, July 2024
__________________
Confidential report, July 2024. See also: https://www.dncd.gob.do/index.php/noticias1/noticias/item/2080-cesfront-y-dncdincautan-384-libras-de-marihuana-en-elias-pina
232
Confidential report, July 2024. See also: https://www.dncd.gob.do/index.php/noticias1/noticias/item/2006-arrestan-dos-hombresy-ocupan-49-libras-de-marihuana-en-elias-pina
233
Confidential report, July 2024. See also: https://prensaygente.com/cesfront-y-dncd-ocupan-26-libras-de-marihuana-enpedernales/
231
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On 27 December 2023, 368.59 pounds of cannabis were seized hidden inside boxes of lemons in a red truck, in Elias Piña 234.
Source: Confidential report, July 2024
__________________
234
Confidential report, July 2024. See also: https://mide.gob.do/cesfront-y-dncd-incautan-368-libras-de-marihuana-en-elias-pina/
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Annex 28: Comparison of number of Haitian nationals entering Panama and Honduras between June to October
2023
The Panel identified a significant discrepancy between the number of Haitian migrants registered by Panama upon crossing
the Darien Gap and the number registered by Honduras entering from Nicaragua. This difference amounts to approximately
47,345 individuals.
The high volume of charter flights transporting Haitian nationals to Nicaragua during the period in question suggests this
discrepancy is linked to smuggling activities via those flights that arrived in Managua. It is important to note that these
figures only reflect registered migrants in Panama and Honduras. The true number of Haitian nationals transiting Central
America is likely much higher.
Country
June
July
August
Sept.
October
Total
Honduras
Panama
1,305
1,446
1,558
1,226
4,051
1,559
14,898
2,563
35,529
3,202
57, 341
9,996
Panel’s own table based on State’s official data
HONDURAS
Irregular migration of Haitians in Honduras per year.
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Irregular migration of Haitians in Honduras from June to October 2023.
Statistics from the National Institute of Migration of Honduras. Available at: https://inm.gob.hn/migracion-irregular.html
Visit 03 July 2024.
PANAMA
Irregular migration of Haitians in Panama. Irregular Transit of Foreigners at the Border with Colombia by Country
According to Order of Importance
Statistics from the National Institute of Migration of Panama.
content/uploads/IRREGULARES-X-DARIEN-2023.pdf-. Visit 03 July 2024.
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Available at:
https://www.migracion.gob.pa/wp-
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Annex 29: Posts of travel agencies and social media profiles actively marketing trips to Nicaragua and Mexico
Publicity posts of various travel agencies marketing trips from Haiti or the Dominican Republic to Nicaragua, 2024.
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Social media post marketing trips to Nicaragua and Mexico 2023. Available: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvtUIzlLslq/
and https://www.facebook.com/search/posts/?q=travel%20haiti%20full%20package Visit July 2024
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Annex 30: Flight history for Flymex aircraft XA-VBC, from August to October 2023.
Flymex airline’s aircraft XA-VBC flight history between 14 August 2023 and 26 October 2023, showing multiplecharter
flights departing from Port-au-Prince with destination to Managua.
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FlightRadar24, Flight history for aircraft XA-VBC (as
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/xa-vbc# visit 22 May 2024.
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22
May
2024).
Available
at
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Annex 31: Map showing main air and land migrant smuggling routes from Haiti to North America
Panel’s map own elaboration based on “Clear Map” from
https://www.un.org/geospatial/mapsgeo/webservices (Visited July 2024)
United
Nations
Geospatial
services
The boundaries and names shown, and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance
by the United Nations.
For a more detail view of the different migrant routes in Mexico see S/2023/674.
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Annex 32: Other violations of human rights
In line with resolution 2653 (2022), the Panel has undertaken a comprehensive investigation approach into human rights
violations in Haiti. While gangs are the primary perpetrators, the Panel recognizes the complicity of some public officials,
politicians, and economic figures in either supporting these groups or weakening state institutions that could combat them.
The Panel is committed to investigating all parties involved.
Haiti faces a critical situation. Gang violence is escalating not only in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area but also in the
wider western and Artibonite departments, where their growing power is a major concern. Beyond the specific violations
documented in this report – including sexual and gender-based violence, child recruitment, use of human shields, wanton
destruction of public and private property and smuggling of migrants – the Panel is particularly concerned about the
following additional areas:
Violations to the right to health
Haiti’s population health care has been hampered by gang violence. Healthcare facilities are struggling due to supply and
staff shortages. Around 40% of hospital beds are unusable due to gang-looting, and the security situation has led almost half
of Haiti’s medical professionals to migrate.235 Haitians are unable to access medical care since 21% of healthcare facilities,
and nearly half of Port-au-Prince hospitals are in gang-controlled zones.236 As of July 2024, more than 30 medical centers
in Haiti are closed due to gang vandalism, including Haiti’s largest hospital. 237
On 29 February 2024, Haiti’s State University Hospital was ransacked. It remains non-operational despite being recovered
from the gangs by the police on 9 July 2024.238 (See section II.A.1).
In March 2024, the Viv Ansanm alliance destroyed Jude-Anne Hospital (see Annex 32.1) and ransacked the Hospital and
Saint Martin Health Center in the Delmas 18 commune.239
Despite an increase in IDP numbers, health sector interventions remain limited to 23 IDP sites due to lack of resources and
staffing.240
From 1 January to 30 June 2024, WHO reported 2,672 cases and 13 deaths of cholera in Haiti. 241
Violations to the right to education
Gang violence has seriously disrupted and endangered the educational system in Haiti. As of 5 July 2024, 919 schools were
closed (515 permanently closed) and more than a dozen schools have been destroyed, affecting nearly 156,000 students
mainly in the West and Artibonite departments.242 Moreover, many school teachers and university professors are unable to
go to work or have left the country due to violence and economic hardship. 243
Gang violence has caused a significant educational crisis in Haiti. Between 2019 and 2023, children have lost on average,
an entire year of schooling. The economic fallout from the violence has also forced many parents into unemployment, further
limiting children's access to education across all grade levels.244
Between February and May 2024, members of the Viv Ansanm alliance vandalized and set fire to the premises of the Faculty
of Science, Faculty of Linguistics, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, and
the École Normale Supérieure at the State University of Haiti, the National School of Arts, the Mixed School Les Frères
Nau, National Library in Port-au-Prince, among many other educational sites.245
__________________
See https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haitian-capitals-crippled-health-system-brink
See https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/haiti-who-health-emergency-appeal-2024
237
See United Nations Data, https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-situation-report-4-05-june-2024 and
https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/UNFPA%20Haiti%20Sitrep%20%235.pdf.
238
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/haitian-police-say-they-have-taken-largest-hospital-back-from-gang-control-1.6957194
239
See https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/haiti/haiti -emergency-situation-report-no-14-2-april-2024
240
See https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/haiti-who-health-emergency-appeal-2024
241
See https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/multi-country-outbreak-cholera-external-situation-report-16-published-18-july-2024
242
See https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-emergency-situation-report-no-28-5-july-2024.
243
Interviews with NGO’s members May 2024.
244
Interviews with humanitarian actors. July 2024.
245
See section on Wanton destruction and ransacking of public and private property.
235
236
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Around 39 schools are occupied by over 60,000 IDPs, restricting children’s attendance to classes. 246 Schools’ premises and
playgrounds are used as temporary shelters as witnessed by the Panel during its visit to the Lycée Jean Marie Vincent, Portau-Prince. (S/2024/253).
Schools have also been taken by gangs such as Terre Noire, Grand Ravine, Warf Jérémie, Kraze Barye, Charbon and
Canaan.247
Obstructions of humanitarian access and assistance
Since late February 2024, escalating gang violence has severely hampered humanitarian efforts in Haiti. Viv Ansanm gang
members attacked critical infrastructure, robbed containers carrying first aid supplies, and looted hospitals and pharmacies,
among other humanitarian aid sites, particularly in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Blockaded roadways and the
closure of the main airport and seaport have severely restricted the movement of vital supplies and humanitarian personnel.
These disruptions have worsened existing shortages and hindered the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid, thereby risking
the Haitian population’s well-being. (Annex 32.2)
On 15 June 2024, Ezekiel, a recent escapee from the National prison, leader of the Baze Pilate gang, went to a school in his
territory in Carrefour Feuilles and broke in the middle of a WFP food distribution. He threatened everyone and stole around
150 sacks of rice.248
Nonetheless, despite the security crisis, as of June 2024, the WFP has provided critical food assistance to hundreds of
thousands of Haitians through its emergency and school meals programs. For example, as of May 2024, over USD 2.7
million in cash-based transfers (CBT) and 1,837 metric tons of food benefited about 735,639 people. 249 As of June 2024,
more than a million hot meals have been provided to IDPs in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.250 Despite these positive
developments, food insecurity remains dire (see Section II.C).
Deficiencies of the justice and prison systems
Gang violence has crippled Haiti’s justice system. Many courthouses remain destroyed, non-operational, or located in
inaccessible areas, effectively barring judicial personnel and lawyers from accessing them.251 Interviews with lawyers reveal
the additional loss of crucial case files, legal documents, and identification cards due to these attacks. 252 This breakdown
affects all legal areas – criminal, civil, and administrative – rendering the administration of justice in Haiti nearly
impossible.253 Furthermore, Haiti's judicial system has been paralyzed by ongoing strikes since last October over labor
disputes concerning pay and working conditions. 254
Moreover, during April and May 2024 two lawyers, and then a judge and a lawyer were killed by the Gran Grif and Kokorat
San Ras gangs, respectively, in two separate incidents. A judge investigating drug trafficking reported that he had recently
received death threats. 255 These attacks on the judiciary aim to create a climate of fear and intimidation and constitute serious
threats to the exercise of judicial independence and legal representation. Between January and July 2024, 23 police officers
were killed due to gang violence.256
The early March attacks on Haiti’s two largest prisons, the national penitentiary of Port-au-Prince and the Croix-desBouquets prison, during which about 4,624 detainees escaped, have significantly weakened the already dysfunctional
correctional system. Only 16 prisons remain operational, and overcrowding is severe with a population exceeding capacity
__________________
See https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-report-internal-displacement-situation-haiti-round-7-june-2024.
247
Interviews with UN humanitarian officer, May and June 2024 and a NGO member 2024. See also,
https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/united-nations-integrated-office-haiti-report-secretary-general-s2024508-enarruzh
248
Interviews with human rights defenders and NGO’s members, July 2024.
249
https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/wfp-haiti-country-brief-may-2024 .
250
https://x.com/wfp/status/1808406627801833791?s=43&t=3kFgrKDPT9SeorQ5dwAnew
251
The Port-au-Prince, Croix-des-Bouquets, Gonaives, Trou du Nord, and Petit-Goâve courthouses, to mention a few, have been
rendered non-operational by gangs. 251
252
Interviews with Haitian lawyers, May and June 2024.
253
See also https://ayibopost.com/the-legal-profession-is-dying-in-port-au-prince/
254
See https://binuh.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/quarterly_report_on_the_human_rights_situation_in_haiti.pdf
255
See https://binuh.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/quarterly_report_on_the_human_rights_situation_in_haiti.pdf
256
UN data
246
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by nearly 300%257. Pre-trial detainees make up the vast majority of inmates, raising concerns about fairness and due process.
Despite efforts from the Haitian Government and UN agencies, Haiti’s penitentiary system continues to be in crisis. Prisons
across the country suffer from severe overcrowding258, shortages of essential resources such as food, medical supplies, and
cooking gas, and significant issues with sewage and garbage disposal. Gang attacks on prisons are also a constant threat.
Initiatives to reduce overcrowding through special hearings have only free 63 individuals so far this year. 259
Particularly worrisome is the Centre d'éducation et de réinsertion des mineurs en conflit avec la loi (CERMICOL), original
aim at minors, now houses men, women, girls and boys, and it is more than 400% overcrowded 260. It is also now the only
operational prison in Port-au-Prince.261
Forced displacement of population
Gang violence have resulted in a dramatic surge of people being displaced either internally or internationally. Gangs have
also used the forced displacement of the population as a tactic to fight against other gangs or to loot property. In a recent
interview, Ti Lapli, the leader of the Grand Ravine gang, acknowledged using forced displacement of the population as a
fighting tactic (see Annex 32.3)
As of June 2024, there are 578,074 IDPs in Haiti, marking a nearly 60% increase from March 2024 (362,551). 262 More than
50% are women and girls.
According to UNICEF, one child is displaced every minute in Haiti as armed violence persists. 263 As of 2 July 2024, the
number of internally displaced children in the country exceeded 300,000, representing a 60% increase since March. 264
Gang violence in Port-au-Prince led to an exodus of about 95,000 people fleeing the capital between 8 March and 9 April
2024. As of June 2024, nearly 50% of all IDPs in Haiti are in the Great South. 265 Among the most serious attacks that led to
a high number of IDPs are the following: on 29 February 2024, the Viv Ansanm alliance attacked several parts of Port-auPrince metropolitan area which resulted in the displacement of 14,740 individuals (see Annex 32.4). On 18 February 2024,
Viv Ansanm attacked the areas of Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau, Centre department, resulting in 1,590 IDPs (see Annex 32.5).
Between 25 April and 5 May 2024, attacks perpetrated by the Viv Ansanm alliance in Delmas 24 and Solino resulted in about
5,000 IDPs.266
On 11 May 2024, Viv Ansanm caused clashes in the Gressier commune, West department, resulting in 4,463 people displaced
to other locations in the West and South departments (see Annex 32.6).
Living conditions at IDP sites continue to be appalling and in need of basic services, as it has been already reported by the
Panel (S/2023/674 and S/2024/253).
Finally, many of the Haitian nationals who have been forcibly returned to Haiti, have also become IDPs. In 2023, more than
a quarter of a million Haitians were forcibly returned to Haiti, 96% of them from the Dominican Republic. 267
Violations by the police
From 1 January to 31 March 2024, 590 civilians unrelated to gangs were killed or injured during police operations against
gangs.268 There have been also reports of extrajudicial executions by police officers in the areas of Cité Soleil, Drouillard
__________________
UN data
258
Overcrowding is rampant, with an average of 0.33 square meters of space per inmate. The most overcrowded prisons include
Mirebalais, Les Cayes, Saint-Marc, Anse-à-Veau, Jacmel, Jérémie, Fort Liberté I, Port-de-Paix, Cap-Haïtien, and CERMICOL,
with occupancy rates ranging from 347% to 980%. UNPOL Data. July 2024.
259
UNPOL Data. July 2024.
260
United Nations Police data.
261
UNPOL Data. July 2024.
262
https://dtm.iom.int/reports/haiti-report-internal-displacement-situation-haiti-round-7-june-2024?close=true visited June 2024.
263
See https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/one-child-displaced-every-minute-haiti-armed-violence-persists-unicef
264
See https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/one-child-displaced-every-minute-haiti-armed-violence-persists-unicef
265
Idem.
266
See https://dtm.iom.int/reports/haiti-emergency-tracking-tool-412-updates-displacement-following-attacks-delmas-25-april-07
267
See https://dtm.iom.int/reports/haiti-haitians-forcibly-returned-haiti-profiles-migration-experience-and-intentions?close=true
268
See Panel’s third confidential periodic report.
257
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and Vincent in the commune of Port-au-Prince.269
As of 30 June 2024, the General Inspectorate of the Haitian National Police (IGPNH) opened 23 investigations of alleged
human rights violations committed by the police, so far none of those cases have been concluded. Since 3 March 2024,
IGPNH has faced several challenges since their offices have remained closed due to continued gang violence in the area,
which has seriously halted its performance.270
__________________
269
270
See https://binuh.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/quarterly_report_on_the_human_rights_situation_in_haiti.pdf
UNPOL Data. July 2024.
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Annex 32.1: Destruction of Jude-Anne Hospital, Port-au-Prince, by Delmas 6 gang members led by Jimmy
Chérizier, alias “Barbeque” 18 March 2024.
Pictures from social media
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Annex 32.2: Humanitarian access, January – June 2024.
The security situation in Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite department dramatically worsened between February and April
2024, severely hampering humanitarian aid delivery to Haitians in need. Humanitarian workers faced numerous
challenges, including armed clashes, movement restrictions, direct interference in their work, and even violence.
Between April 2023 and June 2024, over 1,700 incidents targeting humanitarian personnel and operations were recorded.
The following map and figure show the constraints to access humanitarian aid:
Source: OCHA, Haiti - Aperçu de la sévérité de l'accès humanitaire, janvier à juin 2024 (visited 26 juillet 2024).
https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-apercu-de-la-severite-de-lacces-humanitaire-janvier-juin-2024-26-juillet2024
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or
acceptance by the United Nations.
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Annex 32.3: Ti Lapli’s confessions concerning recruitment of children and forced displacement of the
population.
Recruitment of children:
Ti Lapli claims that due to a lack of jobs, children seek him out for assistance, which leads them to fight for him.
Forced displacement of the population
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Ti Lapli admits using forced displacement as a tactic during clashes with other gangs. This tactic involves driving
people out from their homes and burning houses.
Stills taken from a video: “Reportage exclusif en Haïti: à Port-au Prince, capitale assiégée par les gangs” FRANCE
24. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5GNZRS9SaM Visited July 2024.
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Annex 32.4: IDPs from Port-au-Prince, 29 February 2024
IDPs following armed clashes between gangs in Port-au-Prince on 29 February 2024.
“IOM. Haiti — Emergency Tracking Tool 39.1 — Updates on displacement following attacks in the municipality of Portau-Prince (29 February — 02 March 2024).” Available at: https://dtm.iom.int/reports/haiti-emergency-tracking-tool-391updates-displacement-following-attacks-municipality-port. Visited 20 July 2024
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance
by the United Nations
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Annex 32.5: IDPs from Mirebalais, Saut-d’Eau and Thomazeau, 18 February 2024
IDP following armed clashes between gangs in Mirebalais, Saut-d’Eau and Thomazeau (18 February 2024)
“IOM. Haiti — Emergency Tracking Tool 38 — Displacement following attacks in Mirebalais, Thomazeau and Saut-d’Eau
(19 — 20 February 2024).” Available at: https://dtm.iom.int/reports/haiti-emergency-tracking-tool-38-displacementfollowing-attacks-mirebalais-thomazeau-and Visited 20 July 2024
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance
by the United Nations
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Annex 32.6: IDPs from Gressier commune, 11 May 2024.
IDPs following armed clashes between gangs in Gressier on 11 May 2024.
“IOM. Haiti — Emergency Tracking Tool 42 — Displacement following attacks in the municipality of Gressier (11-12 May
2024).” Available at: https://dtm.iom.int/reports/haiti-emergency-tracking-tool-42-displacement-following-attacksmunicipality-gressier-11-12?close=true. Visited 20 July 2024.
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance
by the United Nations
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Annex 33: Mass kidnappings by Kokorat San Ras and Gran Grif gangs (October 2023 - June 2024)
This table summarizes the recorded mass kidnappings incidents carried out by the Kokorat San Ras and Gran Grif gangs
between October 2023 and June 2024. For the Panel’s report purposes “mass kidnappings” are those where 10 or more
persons are kidnapped in a single incident.
According to Panel’s own account about 500 people were mass kidnapped during the above-mentioned period by those two
gangs.
When data was available the number of passengers is disaggregated by sex and age.
Kokorat San Ras gang
Date
Event
# Kidnapped
persons
Ransom
requested
Location
in Artibonite
department
27 October
2023
Kidnapping from a
pickup truck
13 pax: 9 women,
3 men, 1
adolescent
No ransom; all
belongings were
taken
Ti Bwadòm, Gros
Morne
11 November
2023
Kidnapping from a
bus
17 pax
500,000 HTG
($3788 USD
approx.) per
hostage
Ti Bwadòm, Gros
Morne
17 November
2024
Kidnapping from a
merchandise truck
13 pax: 9 adults, 3
adolescents, 1
elderly man
750,000 HTG
($5682.30 USD
approx.) in total
La Croix Périsse
20 November
2023
Kidnapping from a
bus
15 pax: 10 men, 5
women
500,000 HTG
($3788 USD
approx.) per
hostage
Ti Bwadòm, Gros
Morne
20 November
2023
Kidnapping from a
pickup truck
10 pax: 6 women,
4 men
N/A
La Croix Périsse
4 December
2023
Kidnapping from a
minibus
10 pax: 4 women,
6 men
N/A
La Croix Périsse
5 January 2024
Kidnapping from two
pickup trucks
20 pax: 7 women,
13 men
N/A
La Croix Périsse
9 January 2024
Kidnapping from a
minibus
10 pax: 6 men, 4
women
N/A
La Croix Périsse
20 January
2024
Kidnapping from a
pickup truck
10 pax: 6 men, 4
women
N/A
La Croix Périsse
17 February
2024
Kidnapping from two
trucks
12 pax: 8 women,
4 men
500,000 HTG
($3788 USD
approx.) per
truck
Ti Bwadòm, Gros
Morne
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500,000 HTG
($3788 USD
approx.) per
hostage
1,000,000 HTG
($7576 USD
approx.) per
hostage
18 February
2024
Kidnapping from a
bus
20 pax: 13 men, 7
women
Ti Bwadòm, Gros
Morne
7 April 2024
Kidnapping from a
pickup truck
10 pax: 3 men, 7
women
24 April 2024
Kidnapping of two
pickup trucks
20 pax: 8 men, 12
women
N/A
La Croix Périsse
28 May 2024
Kidnapping from two
pickup trucks
19 pax: 8 men, 11
women
N/A
La Croix Périsse
15 June 2024
Kidnapping from two
pickup trucks
15 pax: 8 men, 7
women
N/A
La Croix Périsse
16 June 2024
Kidnapping from two
pickup trucks
16 pax: 11 men, 5
women
N/A
La Croix Périsse
17 June 2024
Kidnapping from a
pickup truck
10 pax: 7 men, 3
women
N/A
La Croix Périsse
27 June 2024
Kidnapping from a
minibus
12 pax: 7 men, 5
women
1,250,000 HTG
($9470 USD
approx.) per
hostage
Ti Bwadòm, Gros
Morne
La Croix Périsse
Gran Grif gang
Date
Event
# Kidnapped persons
Ransom
01 December
2023
12 December
2023
09 January
2024
12 January
2024
Kidnapping from
a bus
Kidnapping from
bus
Kidnapping from
a bus
Kidnapping from
a public transport
vehicle
Kidnapping from
a pickup truck
Kidnapping from
two minibuses
Kidnapping from
a bus
Kidnapping
Kidnapping and
shooting incident
18 pax: 4 women, 2 girls
(16 years), 12 men
10 pax: 7 men, 3 women
N/A
Location in the Artibonite
department
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
N/A
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
25 pax: 15 men, 10
women
14 pax: 8 men, 6 women
N/A
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
N/A
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
10 pax: 6 men, 4 women
N/A
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
15 pax: 5 men, 10
women
32 pax: 22 men, 10
women
15 pax: 9 men, 6 women
18 pax: 10 men, 8
women
N/A
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
N/A
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
N/A
N/A
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite
26 April 2024
01 May 2024
04 June 2024
23 June 2024
04 July 2024
Panel’s own table based on UN data.
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Annex 34: Migration, Deportees/Returnees, Refugees and IDPs
There is no Haitian official data on the exact number of Haitian nationals that have been forcibly displaced internally or that
have fled the country due to the violence and economic situation in Haiti. However, according to the Panel’s own assessment,
during the reporting period, about half a million persons have left their homes, nearly 300,000 as IDPs and about 200,000
as migrants/refugees.
The following information, collected from different organizations and States’ data, provides a glimpse of the impact of such
violence.
IOM
As of June 2024, a total of 578,074 Haitian nationals were internally displaced. 271 More than half of them are women and
minors.
According to the IOM from January to July 2024, 89,721 Haitians were deported to Haiti, out of which 96.04% came from
the Dominican Republic.
__________________
271
https://dtm.iom.int/fr/haiti
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IOM. Displacement Tracking Matrix. Haiti 2024. Available at: https://dtm.iom.int/fr/node/23491
In 2023, a total of 216,677 Haitians were forcibly returned to Haiti, out of which 96% came from the Dominican Republic.
IOM. Haitians forcibly returned to Haiti — Profiles, migration experience and intentions of Haitians returned in
2023. Available at: https://dtm.iom.int/reports/haiti-haitians-forcibly-returned-haiti-profiles-migration-experienceand-intentions?close=true.
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UNCHR
Haitian refugees and asylum seekers from 2018 to 2023.
UNHCR Refugee Data Finder, 16 July 2024. Data as of December 2023. Available at: https://www.unhcr.org/refugeestatistics/download/?url=3UEuLJ.
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US Customs and Border Protection 272
U.S. Customs and Border Protection data show a total of 163,781 Haitians encountered in 2023, while a total of 126,175
Haitians were encountered from January through June 2024.
“U.S Custom and Border Protection, Nationwide Encounters, Haiti.” Available at:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/nationwide-encounters.
__________________
Encounter data includes U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Title 8 Apprehensions, Office of Field Operations (OFO) Title 8
Inadmissibles, and Title 42 Expulsions for fiscal years (FY) 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Demographics for USBP and OFO includ e:
a. Accompanied Minors (AM)
b. Individuals in a Family Unit (FMUA)
c. Single Adults
d. Unaccompanied Children (UC) / Single Minors
US Customs and Border Protection. https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/nationwide-encounters, visited July 2024.
272
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GARR
According to the Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatriés et Réfugiés (GARR), an Haitian NGO, there were a total of 92,148
repatriations and a total of 24,351 refoulements to Haiti during the months of April, May and June 2024. Below is the
counting for the months of May and June 2024 as examples.
Information for the months of January, February, and March was not available.
Repatriations and Refoulements June and May 2024
“Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatriés et Réfugiés, Rapport Mensuel: Rapatriements, Retours spontanés, Refoulements.” Available
at: x.com/GARRHaiti
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PANAMA
In 2023, more than half a million migrants (520,085) crossed the Darien Gap, out of which 46,422 were Haitian
nationals.273 From January to June 2024, 10,173 Haitian nationals were recorded to cross the Darien Gap. 274
“Migration, Panama Republic. Irregular Transit of foreigners through the Colombian border, 2023.” Available at
https://www.migracion.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/IRREGULARES-X-DARIEN-2023.pdf.
__________________
See https://www.migracion.gob.pa/wp-content/uploads/IRREGULARES-X-DARIEN-2023.pdf
274
See https://www.migracion.gob.pa/mas-de-185-mil-personas-han-transitado-la-selva-del-darien-en-el2024/#:~:text=2024%20%E2%80%93%20Migraci%C3%B3n%20Panam%C3%A1 ,M%C3%81S%20DE%20185%20MIL%20PERSONAS%20HAN%20TRANSITADO,DEL%20DARI%C3%89N%20EN%20EL%
202024&text=Panam%C3%A1%2C%2020%20de%20junio%20de,unas%20186%20mil%20969%20personas
273
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
In 2023, a total of 251,011 Haitian nationals were returned to their country. 275 During the first semester of 2024, the
Directorate General of Migration (DGM) reported that a total of 66,227 Haitian nationals were deported from the
Dominican Republic.276 According to some humanitarian agencies more than 113,000 have been deported from the
Dominican Republic as of July 2024.277
HONDURAS
According to National Institute of Migration of Honduras, from January to May 2024 a total of 13,616 Haitian
nationals entered the country.
“Honduras Migration. Irregular migration to Honduras by Haitians throughout January to May 2024.” Available at:
https://inm.gob.hn/migracion-irregular.html
MEXICO
According to the Mexican Commission for Refugees (Comar), 44,239 Haitian nationals applied for refugee status in
2023.278 In addition, from January to June 2024, a total of 41,427 people requested recognition as refugees in Mexico,
of which 8,833 were Haitian nationals.279
__________________
See https://www.diariolibre.com/politica/gobierno/2024/03/11/cuantas -deportaciones-de-haitianos-realizo-rd-en2023/2640029
276
See https://migracion.gob.do/en-6-meses-mas-67-mil-extranjeros-de-diferentes-nacionalidades-han-sido-deportados-a-suspaises-de-origen/
277
Confidential report. Humanitarian agencies. July 2024
278
See https://www.gob.mx/comar/articulos/boletin-estadistico-de-solicitantes-de-refugio-en-mexico-182244?idiom=es.
279
See https://www.gob.mx/comar/articulos/la-comar-en-numeros-369895?idiom=es.
275
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SEA INTERDICTIONS
Migrant smuggling operations have been thwarted through sea interdictions by the Bahamas and the United States.
On 11 March 2024, 140 Haitian migrants were intercepted by the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) in waters
off Turks and Caicos Islands.280 Moreover, on 7 April 2024, the RBDF apprehended 257 Haitian migrants, thereby
preventing the continuation of an illicit migration operation.281 On 10 June 2024, the US Coast Guard returned a total
of 305 migrants to the Bahamas and Haiti, after multiple interdictions of unlawful maritime migration. 282 As of 1 July
2024, the US Coast Guard has interdicted more than 260 Haitians through sea interdictions. 283 On 17 July 2024, a
makeshift boat with 80 Haitian migrants heading to Turks and Caicos Islands caught fire; 40 persons died while many
other were injured. The boat had set sail just two days prior from Fort Saint-Michel, Haiti.284
TURKS AND CAICOS
The Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of police of Turks and Caicos Islands revealed that
in 2023 the country interdicted 4,016 irregular migrants from Haiti, while from January to 24 June 2024 a total of 865
Haitians were intercepted. Of these 865 Haitian nationals, 727 were males including 8 minors, and 138 females
including also minors.285
BAHAMAS
Each entry in this table provides an overview of incidents related to Haitian migrants according to press releases from
the Bahamas Department of Immigration, which can be accessed at: https://www.immigration.gov.bs/?s=haiti. A total
of 1,474 Haitians were recorded by this authority, with 1,118 in 2023 and 356 in the months of January-March 2024.
Date
1 February
2023
8 March
2023
Number of
Haitians
Description of the Event
245
Repatriation from Matthew Town, Inagua to Port-au-Prince, Haiti
17 April 2023
259
17 July 2023
275
24 July 2023
13 September
2023
12 January
2024
15 March
2024
17 March
2024
143
Repatriation from New Providence, including a flight to Port-au-Prince
and another to Cap Haitien.
Repatriation from New Providence to Port-au-Prince in two groups,
including adults and minors.
Haitian migrants under custody in New Providence after being
discovered by the RBDF.
A woman died during a repatriation process from New Providence.
44
Repatriation from New Providence to Port-au-Prince.
18
Haitian migrants apprehended in Matthew Town, Inagua.
43
Apprehension of Haitians in New Providence during a joint operation.
49
Haitians handed over to the enforcement unit by the RBDF after a patrol.
134
__________________
See https://rbdf.gov.bs/rbdf-intercepts-migrants-in-turks-and-caicos-islands/
See https://rbdf.gov.bs/royal-bahamas-defence-force-secures-bahamas/.
282
See https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3802235/coast-guard-transfers-109-migrants-to-bahamasrepatriates-196-migrants-to-haiti/.
283
See https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3789058/coast-guard-repatriates-136-migrants-todominican-republic-following-3-separate/, https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3802235/coast-guardtransfers-109-migrants-to-bahamas-repatriates-196-migrants-to-haiti/
284
https://rosanjose.iom.int/en/news/tragic-boat-fire-claims-40-migrant-lives-haitis-coast
285
See https://suntci.com/tci-sees-decrease-in-illegal-migrants-from-haiti-so-far-this-year-p11138-129.htm
280
281
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20 March
2024
Total
264
Repatriation from Matthew Town, Inagua to Cap-Haitien, Haiti
1474
Panel’s own table based on public data.
JAMAICA
Although Jamaica does not have official online open-access databases on immigration, according to information from local
newspapers, between July 2023 and May 2024, there were five recorded entries of Haitian migrants, with approximately 80
repatriated and 22 in police custody.286
__________________
286
See https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/more-than-80-haitians-who-arrived-in-jamaica-since-last-year-repatriated
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Annex 35: Building of makeshift boats at Port-de-Paix, Haiti
Satellite imaginary at three different sites at Port-de-Paix, North-West department, shows very active building areas
for makeshifts boats, as already reported by the Panel (S/2023/674). According to different local confidential
sources287 many of these boats are used for migrant smuggling towards the United States.
Circles in orange color indicate boats being built and construction sites.
Stills taken from Google Earth, Visited on June 2024.
Maps Data: Google, ©2024 Airbus, Imagery Date: 03162024
__________________
287
Confidential sources, May and June 2024.
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Annex 36: Wanton destruction and ransacking of public and private infrastructure by gangs in the downtown area
of Port-au-Prince.
Between February and May 2024, the gang alliance Viv Ansanm adopted as a tactic the wanton destruction of public and
private infrastructure; it also included attacks against State symbols, such as the National Palace.
The area surrounding the National Palace was particularly affected. This strategically important zone houses critical
institutions like the General Hospital, the city's main medical center; the University Schools of Medicine and Law; the
Ministry of Economy and Finance; the National Teachers School; and Le Nouvelliste media house. Dozens of small
businesses and homes were also destroyed.
Below is a satellite image of the area attacked.
The polygon in yellow indicates the perimeter of the area affected by Viv Ansanm wanton destruction and ransacking. Portau-Prince. Google Earth. Visited June 2024.
Maps Data: Google, ©2024 Airbus, Imagery Date: 03162024
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On 24 March 2024, the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, launched an attack around the National Palace area. Izo's 5 Segond
gang was the primary aggressor in this assault. 288 The wanton attack destroyed two city blocks as shown by the following
satellite images.
Images from Planet.com. Visited June 2024.
Planet Labs PBC
On the ground pictures taken by online media also showed the destruction of that area.
__________________
288
Interviews with human rights defenders and UN humanitarian agencies, April and June 2024.
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Picture taken on 25 March 2024. | © Jean Feguens Regala/AyiboPost. Available at: https://ayibopost.com/photos-lesgangs-ont-defigure-le-bas-de-la-ville-de-port-au-prince/.
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Annex 37: Gangs explain that they receive weapons from economic actors
Gangs regularly mention that economic actors provide them with firearms. This does not preclude the fact that they also
procure firearms independently (see S/2023/674).
The illicit revenue generated by economic actors, when paid to gangs, is used in acquiring arms and ammunition used in
attacking economic hubs (such as seaports), extorting road users, looting of public and private properties, kidnapping for
ransom and facilitating and protecting cross-border illicit trade. This creates a cycle of interdependence between economic
actors and gangs.
Excerpts of a video documentary289 in which Tigres, one of the deputies of Renel Destina alias “Ti Lapli,” leader of the
Grand Ravine gang discloses how the weapons the gang has, were bought with money given to them by the rich people in
the community. (see, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMfLTuzEwWQ).
__________________
289
France 24. 2024. Reportage exclusif en Haiti : a Port-au-Prince, capitale assiégée par les gangs.
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Below: In an interview in May 2024, Jimmy Chérizier narrated how gangs acquire arms and ammunition through networks
linked to elite actors.
See excerpts of the video below290, in which Cherizier responds to question of how his gang gets arms and ammunition. He
says that most of the materiel are supplied to the gangs by the rich in society, but it’s the less fortunate who are targeted for
punishment instead. See, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo48IeiZJx0.
__________________
290
Brut. 2024. La grande interview : Jimmy Chérizier.
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Annex 38: The impact of gang attacks on the CPS container terminal
As the chaos continued at the port, on 15 March, the Viv Ansanm alliance, along with civilians, looted a container with
humanitarian aid belonging to UNICEF and containing essential supplies for life-saving aid to children.291 The closure of
the port widely affected the supply chain of basic commodities, leading to shortages. Given the magnitude of cargo that CPS
handles, the closure has subsequently inflicted a heavy loss on the Customs revenue collection. 292 These paralyzed
operations, forcing it to close. Some traders, for fear of losses, paid gangs to get their commodities that were stuck in high
seas, smuggled into the country through informal docking sites 293.
The attack on the APN Port by gangs led to global marine insurance companies to caution their clients against docking at
CPS and Martissant terminals (which also suffered gang attacks) due to risks of armed robberies and other criminal
activities.294 At the time of drafting, the CPS terminal was only partially operational, with a looming risk of further looting. 295
Gangs have taken advantage of the situation to offer commodity importers an alternative access to inland at exorbitant fees.
For instance, some businessmen pay gangs controlling various informal docking zones between $5,000USD and
$10,000USD per container depending on the value of goods, to get their cargo delivered on the shores. The most common
goods include rice, sugar, cooking, oil and personal effects (referred to as pèpè (see, S/2023/674, Annex 24). The items are
offloaded from the high seas onto feeder boats which then discharge the items into trucks on the shores, evading Customs. 296
__________________
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/armed-violence-deepening-malnutrition-crisis-children-haiti
Interviews with Customs official, HNP officer and two clearing agents, April 2024.
293
Interview with the Secteur Transport Terrestre Haitien (STTH), HNP and Customs, May and June 2024.
https://www.facebook.com/syndicatAPCH?__cft__[0]=AZUDGekcdEvbxBcEb8ofZlBKoo3uYMRKdsDjpMVahpsrLOBWky3mPWO1CbBfkCrKZcq5PnOHU3iMgyXWG6MPoNMW0NnqoRAZQXwU
_r-KFsm3SDMxv29dK7K2FDDSIDO34z9RXpa3pzmYYS_hL1Ni0sUIsJUC_NZ8zP_Rcvwm7QxgHmqwh56XK582seE8ozPEuYiEf-3FJg6b1Wm_MVnE6j&__tn__=-UC,P-R
294
https://north-standard.com/insights/news/haiti-civil-unrest-affecting-port-operations/.
295
Interviews with two cargo agents and a customs official, July 2024. Also see, https://www.karibinfo.com/news/haiti-un-moissans-navires-au-cps-aucune-arrivee-prevue-par-les-lignes-maritimes/.
296
Ibid.
291
292
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Annex 39: A copy of the press statement issued by Electricité D’Haiti (EDH) in March, informing the public of the
attack against its facility at the Varreux Power Plant and its impact on electricity supply
Document provided to the Panel by a confidential source.
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Annex 40: The blocking of the entrance to Varreux terminal by the 5 Segond gang using hijacked trucks (22 April
2024)
During this period, people turned to informal fuel dealers (commonly referred to as “Sur le trottoir,”) 297, despite cases of
fuel adulteration. At the “Sur le trottoir,” outlets, some which are owned by gang members, a liter of gasoline sold for about
500 GD ($3.75 USD), up from the normal 200GD ($1.5 USD) per liter. 298 This yielded more revenue for gangs operating
“Sur le trottoir,” and contributed to inflation.
A customs official and two port agents informed the Panel that threats on Varreux are persistent and the failure of gangs to
seize control of the installation has turned the gang’s focus on kidnaping the Port’s employees for ransom. A confidential
report seen by the Panel indicated that on 23 May 2024, three employees were robbed, and their vehicle stolen. Four days
later, 10 employees were kidnapped aboard a Varreux terminal vehicle. The port therefore remains at a constant danger of
attack by gangs in their quest to maximize their revenue.
__________________
297
298
https://www.haitiprogres.com/news/2024/04/24/la-penurie-dessence-continue/.
Interview with a gasoline retailer, two drivers, living in Delmas 28 and Gressier suburbs, May 2024.
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Annex 41: Some of the strategies used by Les Argentins and Delmas 6 in revenue collection
Since early 2023, Les Argentins gang, a member of the G-Pèp alliance operating from Haut Bel-Air region had been
attacking Solino neighbourhoods with the aim of expanding its kidnapping territory. This contributed to the rise of the Solino
self-defense group (which, according to a confidential report seen by the Panel, is made up of members of the local
population and some active police officers assigned to police stations in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area) to counter
Les Argentins. (see also Annex 10).
However, when Les Argentins and Delmas 6 collaborated under Viv Ansanm, they invaded Solino. A HNP officer and a
resident of Solino stated that whenever police operations intensified along the Route de Delmas and the Avenue John Brown,
the two main roads leading into Solino, both Les Argentins and Delmas 6 gangs employed different tactics to guarantee
revenue collection, demonstrating resilience and determination to generate revenue. For instance, Les Argentins would place
coffins on designated roadside locations, in which residents of the area, including road users (mainly trucks and taxis) would
‘faithfully’ drop the toll fees. Failure to conform would attract the gang’s wrath down the road. Similarly, Delmas 6 gang
would burn the house of those who failed to yield to the gang’s demands299.
__________________
299
Ibid.
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Annex 42: A Citibank notice for closing down of its operations in Haiti.
Letter provided by a confidential source. Also available at:
https://x.com/mbduvalier/status/1810416842592461022?s=48&t=2ohpW1VkksMbL54enFPvug.
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Annex 43: Banking and compliance
On the financial compliance front, the fact that the bulk of the country’s economy is unbanked adds to the fragility of the
banking sector. About 55.5%300 of the country’s GDP operates mainly outside the formal banking network. This, to a certain
extent poses several risks including those of compliance with international and regional financial bodies.
A member of a recently closed bank in Haiti stated that to ensure the resilience of their operations in the current environment,
banks in Haiti will need to implement comprehensive and multi-layered security measures ranging from physical security
to due diligence measures such as knowing-your-customer (KYC), fraud prevention, compliance training, cybersecurity,
risk management among others. These measures can only be onboarded by a bank when the country’s strategic environment
shows optimism.
__________________
300
See, https://www.worldeconomics.com/National-Statistics/Informal-Economy/Haiti.aspx.
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Annex 44: Rony Celestin’s way of moving contraband
Four sources highlighted that since 2016, the 400 Mawozo gang has been the dominant gang facilitating smuggling activities
at the border, in support of Celestin’s businesses. 301 The sources explained to the Panel Celestin’s modus operandi.
The same sources and a former staff of Celestin indicated how Celestin, through his border agents, pays the 400 Mawozo
gang, his designated customs officials and other members of the criminal network a total of $3000-5000 USD per cargo
truck of contraband commodities (depending on the nature and value of the goods).
The money is meant to facilitate the circumvention of inspection, payment of duties and safeguarding against looting by
other gangs while on transit to the destination in Haiti. Often the cargo is dispatched to Celestin’s home in Hinche through
Los Palis town, in the Center Department for sorting before they are disseminated to various distribution outlets, among
them the eight companies affiliated to him. According to three confidential sources, from Hinche, some BSAP agents take
over the escort of the goods (where necessary) to ensure they reach undeterred to Celestin’s shops in Port-au-Prince
metropolitan area.
A judicial official, a former customs officer and an anti-corruption investigator confirmed that Celestin’s activities are widely
known within the business community, including how he uses his business influence to bribe and frustrate investigations
and prosecutions of cases linked to him.
__________________
Interview with a former customs officer, a member of a governmental agency and two former gang members formerly based in
Belladère, January and June 2024.
301
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