The Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) have been conducting operations in downtown Port-au-Prince since the start of the year. The objective is to regain control of neighborhoods that have become lawless zones and are controlled by criminal groups. Clashes are reported throughout the day. Witnesses report drone explosions and sustained gunfire. According to police notes, firearms belonging to the bandits have been seized.

A government source, who spoke to Le Nouvelliste on the evening of Wednesday, January 7, said that law enforcement is building strong momentum to retake control of the downtown area. “We are moving forward very well. On Tuesday, law enforcement reached the public square in Delmas 2. We carried out clean-up operations on St-Martin Street. We destroyed bandits’ houses. They must not be allowed to take it easy while the people cannot sleep peacefully,” the source told Le Nouvelliste.