The situation in Lower Artibonite is no walk in the park. The Gran Grif and Kokorat San Ras gangs have men, military-grade weapons, and a strong knowledge of the terrain.

In recent weeks, the police have carried out incursions deep into the stronghold of Benjy, the leader of Kokorat San Ras. Weapons have been seized and gang members killed. On Gran Grif’s positions, sporadic kamikaze drone strikes have been carried out for several weeks.