The Haitian National Police (PNH) announced on Sunday that it has made significant progress in security operations against the “Kokorat San Ras” gang, one of the most active criminal groups sowing terror in the Artibonite region. Supported by the Task Force, law enforcement officers, equipped with several armored vehicles, have managed to penetrate previously inaccessible perimeters, signaling a gradual recapture of territory.
After two weeks of intensive operations, marked by the deaths of several bandits and the seizure of large-caliber weapons, the PNH is beginning to regain control of the commune of L’Estère. The combined presence of police and Task Force agents has caused a massive flight of numerous criminals who occupied certain areas, following violent clashes.
According to a statement from the Police Communications Directorate (DICOP), law enforcement carried out a clearing and securing operation during the night of May 22 to 23, 2026, in the “Carrefour Marchand” area and its surroundings. Thanks to forceful interventions, police officers were able to enter the perimeters of the old Lacroix-Périsse cemetery, located in the First Communal Section of L’Estère, this Sunday.
Law enforcement shot dead several members of the “Kokorat San Ras” gang and dismantled numerous barricades that were blocking strategic road axes. In the morning, law enforcement also took control of the Rigaud area, heading towards the sector known as “Point Rouge,” a strategic zone where armed individuals regularly operate.
Late in the afternoon, police officers were seen standing guard at the Carrefour de Marchand-Dessalines, a key hub in the region. Several barricades obstructing the road have been removed, including two major barricades located at Lacroix-Périsse, now “completely cleared.”
“Law enforcement remains mobilized to continue the operation, notably to remove the large barricades made of tree trunks and consolidate these areas,” the PNH statement specifies, reaffirming its determination to combat armed criminal groups and restore peace throughout the national territory.
A Criminal network paralyzing national route #1
The “Kokorat San Ras” gang and the other criminal group named “Gran Grif” from Savien, in Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, have been controlling several segments of National Route #1 for some time, making land transport between the capital and the country’s Far North extremely difficult and perilous. The recent operations aim to break this stranglehold that is choking the economy and citizen mobility.
Port-au-Prince: The fight continues in the Cul-de-Sac Plain
Meanwhile, in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, the PNH says it is continuing its efforts to try to regain the upper hand in the Cul-de-Sac Plain, which has been plagued in recent weeks by a resurgence of clashes between rival gangs. This violence has caused no fewer than 400 deaths, dozens of injuries, and more than 10,000 newly internally displaced persons.
In a video published on its official Facebook page, the PNH states that its specialized unit, CIMO (Corps of Intervention and Maintenance of Order), continues to work tirelessly to secure the lower part of Delmas and other areas of downtown Port-au-Prince recently retaken from gangs.
Strengthening cooperation with the FRG
Alongside these operations, the strengthening of security capacities also involves international cooperation. The Minister of Defense, Mario Andrésol, met on Friday, May 22, 2026, in Port-au-Prince, with the Commander-in-Chief of the Gang Repression Force (FRG), Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri.
The discussions focused on essential issues: the rules of engagement for forces on the ground, the establishment of an effective coordination mechanism between the FRG, the PNH, and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), as well as the development of a joint operational strategy to intensify the fight against gangs.
Authorities also discussed the prospect of a full operationalization of the mission starting next October. This phase should be marked by the deployment of several international contingents promised by various contributing countries, including Chad, El Salvador, Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Ivory Coast, and Bangladesh.
Asked by local media “Vantbef Info” about the delay in the deployment initially announced for April 2026, the FRG mentioned a “progressive and structured process.” It specified that the first operational interventions are still in the preparation phase.
Regarding the personnel already present in Port-au-Prince – while the force is expected to have approximately 5,500 members – the FRG refused to provide precise figures, citing reasons related to operational security. The mission stated that it is actively working towards launching operations on the ground, without providing further details on the strategies considered, in order to preserve the effectiveness of future interventions in an environment marked by the active and organized presence of armed groups.
Strengthening Personnel: The 36th promotion soon ready
On another note, the PNH continues to strengthen its human capacities. Since February 2026, 1,200 young people, including 239 women, have been undergoing training at the National Police School (ENP) to join the 36th promotion, as part of the P4000+ program. As the graduation ceremony approaches, activities have intensified, with assessments in report writing, shooting and tactics, road traffic, and police sciences. Meanwhile, recruitment for the 37th promotion is continuing normally.
As insecurity continues to paralyze several neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince and other regions of the country, the dual approach – forceful operations on the ground and institutional strengthening – appears to be the authorities’ roadmap to try to lift the country out of the security crisis.
