Operation targets Grand Ravine and Village-de-Dieu affiliates expanding into mountainous outskirts of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince, Haiti – February 22, 2026 The Haitian National Police (PNH) carried out a large-scale anti-gang operation in the hillside commune of Kenscoff, southeast of the capital, resulting in the neutralization of at least 16 armed individuals during the night of February 20-21.
According to a statement from the PNH’s Police Communication Directorate (DICOP), specialized units were deployed around midnight in the Godet and Wynn Farm areas. The raid targeted suspected members of criminal groups affiliated with Grand Ravine and Village-de-Dieu, who have been expanding their influence into this once-relatively peaceful mountainous region overlooking Port-au-Prince.
Hostilities intensified around 4:00 a.m., with tactical engagements involving snipers and the use of two drones. Police described the intervention as a methodical encirclement followed by direct confrontations, leading to the fatal wounding of 16 individuals identified as bandits or gang members. This tally is considered preliminary, based on reports from personnel on the ground.
The PNH emphasized that the action was part of intensified nationwide efforts to dismantle armed groups amid Haiti’s ongoing security crisis. Kenscoff has become a focal point for such operations in recent months, as gangs seek to extend control beyond their traditional strongholds in the capital.
Authorities noted that, while the operation was deemed successful, immediate recovery of weapons was not possible due to the rugged terrain and the distance between positions. No police casualties were reported in this specific engagement.
The raid follows a pattern of increased police and multinational security operations targeting gang expansion in peripheral areas like Kenscoff. Further details on the identities of those neutralized, any seized items, or additional outcomes are expected as investigations proceed.
This development comes amid persistent high tensions in Port-au-Prince and surrounding zones, where gangs continue to control significant territory and obstruct humanitarian access. The PNH’s renewed focus on reclaiming strategic high-ground areas signals a broader strategy to regain state authority ahead of eventual elections.
L’Union Suite will follow updates from the PNH and monitor any official statements regarding the operation’s results and implications for security in the region.
Haiti fights for every inch of ground reclaimed.
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