Solino residents begin triumphant return home after months of displacement by G9 gang

PORT-AU-PRINCE– After months of displacement and uncertainty, the resilient community of Solino in Port-au-Prince has begun the arduous but hopeful process of returning to their homes. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, residents, accompanied by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC), returning en masse to their neighborhood to commence a massive cleanup operation, a critical first step toward reclaiming their lives.

The return comes after a significant development: the powerful G9 gang, which has heavily influenced the area, released a video on social media telling residents of both Solino and Delmas that they can go back home. This conditional peace, however fragile, has opened a window for families to return to the places they were forced to abandon.

The stories emerging from Solino are a testament to the deep roots and enduring spirit of its people. One elder, a man who has known no other home, shared his poignant experience:

“I’ve been living in this area since 1974. I stayed here through the earthquakes and all the other events that have happened. Now, after 51 years, they’ve forced me out of my home in Nazon. It’s the same place where I raised all my children.” 

The Solino resident, who requested anonymity because of security concerns, described the profound personal cost of the recent unrest, which forced out individuals who had long shaped the fabric of the community.

Another longtime Solino resident — a community leader and Vodou priest involved in local social work — recounted his nine-month ordeal to The Haitian Times, also on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

“My mother and father had me in Solino, and I have lived here ever since,” he said. 

“I’ve been out for nine months. After Jeff died, the next day I rushed to a friend’s house.” 

The complex security situation in Haiti is further highlighted by international sanctions. 

Last month, the U.S. Department of State announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest of  arrest G9 leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier  his alleged role in violating US sanctions against him by directing money from the United States to his network in Haiti. The Sanction were put in place due to Chérizier’s serious human rights abuses, including the 2018 La Saline massacre. 

Similarly, Vitelhomme Innocent, a leader of the Kraze Baryè gang and part of the same Viv Ansanm alliance as G9, was sanctioned by the U.S. and the UN Security Council and placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of U.S. citizens.

The joint effort between the community and the MTPTC signifies a crucial partnership in the recovery process. 

Clearing debris, repairing damaged structures, and restoring a semblance of normalcy are monumental tasks, but the determination of Solino’s residents is palpable. While the path ahead is challenging, this coordinated effort marks a hopeful turning point for a community with unwavering hope of rebuilding and rekindling the vibrant spirit of Solino.

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