PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, Jun 2, CMC – The Haitian National Police (PNH) Tuesday said it had recovered the bodies of four people, including three police officers, killed during a police operation against criminal gangs last Friday.
The PNH said that the bodies were recovered by its specialized units deployed in Artibonite and that the units also recovered the body of a civilian scout who were all killed during the operation at Carrefour Robert, to dislodge terrorist groups.
On Monday, the United Nations reported hat armed attacks in the department of Artibonite have triggered new displacements in Haiti and put additional pressure on already very vulnerable communities in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
Armed criminal gangs currently control approximately 90 percent of Port-au-Prince and large parts of the countryside. They wield immense influence, effectively paralyzing the country, displacing over 1.4 million people, and committing severe human rights abuses.
Meanwhile, the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the newly authorised multinational mission by the UN Security Council, announced the gradual launch of its operations in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
No details were provided regarding the operation. But the GSF, with a 12-month mandate, said it is committed to reporting on each of its actions. The GSF replaces the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
The 5,550-strong force will work alongside Haitian authorities to neutralize gangs, secure infrastructure, and support humanitarian access. Its main aim is to protect vulnerable populations from escalating violence and prevent the displacement that inevitably causes.
The UN reported Tuesday that its human rights colleagues in Port au Prince have welcomed the opening of two specialised judicial units in the country, which are expected to address complex corruption cases, including the illicit trade of arms and money laundering.
UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said they will also deal with serious human rights violations and abuses like killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, and child trafficking.
“Our colleagues say the creation of these specialised units is a significant step toward tackling widespread impunity in Haiti,” Dujarric said, adding that so far this year, gang-related violence has resulted in at least 2,300 deaths.
Dujarric said close to 700 people, notably women and girls, have been victims of sexual violence in Haiti, and hundreds of children have continued to be trafficked by gangs.
“Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, urges the Haitian authorities to quickly implement these units in accordance with international human rights law and best practices, with the support of the international community,” the UN spokesman added.
CMC/df/ir/2026
CMC/df/ir/2026