Gang threats force school closures but daily life in Port-au-Prince continues

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Several schools in Haiti’s capital closed Monday, Feb. 3, following threats from the Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier-led gang coalition Viv Ansanm, which vowed to wreak havoc across the city.

Despite heightened tensions , much of Port-au-Prince carried on as usual Monday, with public transportation operating in gang-free areas, street vendors selling goods, and commercial banks and stores—particularly along Delmas Road—remaining open.

Gunfire was reported in areas such as Carrefour de l’Aéroport, Nazon, and parts of Tabarre near Toussaint Louverture International Airport, but no casualties or material damage were confirmed.

Haitian National Police (PNH) Director General Rameau Normil said the force remains on high alert and will continue to intensify its presence to strengthen security.

“We are reinforcing security measures to protect lives and property,” Normil said.

A high-level meeting was held at PNH headquarters in Tabarre on Feb. 1 to coordinate a response to potential attacks.

Among the institutions that suspended operations were prominent private schools Saint-Louis de Gonzague, Jean-Marie Guilloux, Grand Collège Bilingue de Sarthe, and Nouvelle Source, which sought to protect students and staff from potential gang violence.

“Due to the information regarding Monday, Feb. 3, the management invites parents, students, and teachers to exercise caution. The school’s doors will remain closed,” Grand Collège Bilingue de Sarthe said in a public statement.

The closures came after threats from Chérizier, the notorious leader of the Delmas 6 gang and head of the Viv Ansanm alliance. Chérizier promised retaliation against political figures André Michel and Claude Joseph, who had petitioned the United States and the United Nations to designate Viv Ansanm as an international terrorist organization.

Michel and Joseph had previously viewed Viv Ansanm as a political player in discussions to replace Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), which has been widely criticized as ineffective. However, the two recently reversed their stance after facing significant public backlash.

“This decision will allow us to use all means to fight the gangs. In the battle against terrorists, there are no limits or questions of human rights,” Michel wrote on X on Feb. 2. “We will meet with all diplomats to mobilize them on this issue. There will be no dialogue or negotiation with the gangs.”

Kenscoff remains tense amid ongoing violence

While Port-au-Prince remained relatively calm, Kenscoff continued to suffer from deadly attacks carried out by the Carrefour gang. The violence, which began last week, has left about 40 residents dead, forcing the community into high alert.

Interim municipal authorities have extended security measures, including:

• An 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew
• Restrictions on motorcycle circulation
• A ban on fuel sales in yellow containers
• A requirement for residents to carry valid identification and report suspicious activity

“The mayor’s office urges all citizens to remain more vigilant than ever, as the danger has not yet been eliminated,” authorities said in a statement.

Officials have also sealed abandoned houses and restricted local motorcycle taxi operations to residents only.

The escalating gang threat highlights Haiti’s ongoing security crisis. While the government has yet to announce additional security measures, police mobilization remains in effect.

“The mayor’s office calls for the population’s cooperation in strictly adhering to security measures, which apply to everyone,” Kenscoff authorities reiterated.

As tensions persist, the resilience of Haitians in the face of uncertainty offers a glimpse of hope that Port-au-Prince and surrounding communities will continue to stand firm against gang violence.

The post Gang threats force school closures but daily life in Port-au-Prince continues appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Gang threats force school closures but daily life in Port-au-Prince continues was first posted on February 4, 2025 at 2:09 pm.