News Updates from Haiti
In Carrefour, the leader of the armed group Ti Bwa, Christ-Roi Chéry, known as Kris la, is allegedly imposing ransoms on residents for their right to reside in the commune. According to reports, both property owners and tenants are subject to these fees, which vary based on the appearance of their homes and yards. Residents are expected to pay this annual charge to avoid penalties from the gang.
On Monday, October 19, 2026, armed groups reportedly attacked the town of Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite around 3:00 a.m. Local sources confirmed the incident, though no further details or assessment of casualties have been released at this time.
In a historic achievement for Haitian Vodou, Florence Deltor Jean Joseph was inducted as the first female Ati in Dereyal on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Limonade. This marks a significant milestone for the National Confederation of Haitian Vodou (KNVA), as she takes over from Prospère Louidor, who served as the interim Ati.
Economically, monthly inflation in Haiti accelerated from a rate of 0.9% in July to 1.6% in August 2026. This increase is primarily attributed to rising fuel prices. However, annual inflation showed a decline, dropping from 17.5% in July to 17% in August, indicating that while prices are on the rise, the pace of increase has moderated over the past year.
Meanwhile, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) is actively conducting a voter registration awareness campaign in the South department. On October 16, the team visited markets in Camp-Perrin, Cavaillon, and Les Cayes, distributing informational brochures and utilizing a sound vehicle to explain the registration process and the importance of participation in the upcoming general elections.
Also on October 19, Lucien Jura, Secretary of State for Communication, reassured civil service agents during a press briefing that their 14th month check would be distributed as usual, clarifying that only the routine 10% tax will be applied. He stated that there would be no additional 15% deduction from public administration salaries, though certain bonuses and allowances for specific executives may be affected by this collection policy.
