Haitian security forces have intensified their efforts against armed gangs, resulting in the death of Mathias Saintil, a notorious gang leader, during a series of coordinated operations in Port-au-Prince. The operations featured the use of explosive drones as authorities aim to reclaim territory controlled by criminal groups.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed the death of Saintil, who led the Boston gang operating primarily in the Cité Soleil neighborhood. “One less gang leader,” Fils-Aimé stated on social media, reiterating his government’s commitment to dismantling the gangs that contribute to widespread violence and instability in Haiti.
Saintil was associated with the Viv Ansanm coalition, a powerful alliance of armed groups that controls significant parts of the capital and is expanding its influence in other regions. Officials reported that Saintil died from multiple gunshot wounds during the operation, but the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) stated he was critically injured when an explosive drone struck his vehicle and succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The RNDDH noted that at least seven explosive drones were deployed during the operations, which targeted multiple gang-controlled communities. The organization reported that five gang members were killed and around 15 others injured in the attacks related to Saintil, with additional casualties occurring in separate confrontations.
This intensified campaign is part of a broader strategy by Haitian authorities, in collaboration with international security partners, to weaken armed gangs and restore control over areas severely affected by violence. Security forces have also set their sights on Wilson Joseph, leader of the infamous 400 Mawozo gang, known for kidnappings and other violent crimes. Although Joseph’s residence was bombed during a recent operation, he is believed to have survived and gone into hiding.
The timing of these operations coincides with an expanded international security presence in Haiti, including approximately 2,500 Salvadoran troops dispatched following the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians in a gang ambush on October 18. The technicians’ vehicle was later found burned in Croix-des-Bouquets, but they remain missing, prompting further security measures against the gangs suspected of being involved.
The RNDDH expressed concerns regarding the potential effects of the drone attacks on civilians in densely populated areas, highlighting reports of civilian casualties amid increasing reliance on drone strikes to target gang leaders. Haiti has faced escalating gang violence for years, with armed groups exerting control over major roads, neighborhoods, and commercial routes, particularly around Port-au-Prince.
As violence has displaced hundreds of thousands and disrupted essential services, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé has identified restoring security and organizing elections as his primary goals. In a recent address, he pledged that his government would not relinquish territory to armed groups, and he assured that security operations would persist until public order is reinstated. He also emphasized the need for operations to align with Haitian law and international human rights obligations.
Despite the intensified operations, questions persist about the coordination between Haiti’s police, military, and international partners, as well as the effectiveness of drone strikes in combating gang violence without further endangering civilians. Authorities remain committed to dismantling criminal networks and achieving the security conditions necessary for Haiti’s long-awaited elections.
