Croix-des-Bouquets: At Least Eight Bandits Killed in Joint Operation by Haitian National Police and Task Force

At least eight armed individuals were killed and two automatic rifles seized during a joint operation conducted by the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Task Force on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Croix-des-Bouquets. The intervention aimed to regain control of the commune, largely dominated by the 400 Mawozo gang, led by Wilson Joseph, alias Lanmò Sanjou. According to information, the operation is part of a strategy to dismantle armed groups operating in this strategic area of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan region. For several years, Croix-des-Bouquets has been a major hotbed of insecurity, marked by kidnappings, armed attacks, and territorial control exercised by heavily armed gangs. A Targeted Operation in the 400 Mawozo Bastion Law enforcement conducted this intervention in sectors identified as gang strongholds, with the aim of neutralizing armed individuals and recovering weapons of war used against the civilian population and authorities. The two seized automatic rifles have been placed under seal for the purposes of the investigation. No official information has yet been released regarding potential arrests or casualties on the part of the security forces. A Major Security Challenge The 400 Mawozo gang is considered one of the most powerful and violent criminal groups in the country. Its influence in Croix-des-Bouquets has severely disrupted the economic and social life of the commune, leading to the flight of many residents, the paralysis of commercial activities, and limited access to public services. This operation comes in a context of increased pressure on Haitian authorities, who are called upon to intensify field actions in the face of rising insecurity and the proliferation of armed groups in the metropolitan region. Continued Operations Announced Police authorities have not ruled out the continuation of similar operations in the coming days, affirming their determination to restore state authority in areas under the control of armed gangs. However, the security situation in Croix-des-Bouquets remains volatile, and residents continue to live in a climate of fear, awaiting a lasting return to security. Jean Wesley Pierre