These demonstrations, which took place on Wednesday April 2, 2025, brought together residents from several neighborhoods, including Canapé-Vert, Débrosse, Turgeau, Bois-Verna, as well as former residents of Solino and Nazon. Participants from the Pétion-Ville and Delmas areas also joined the mobilization.
Background and demands
Armed gangs now control around 85% of Port-au-Prince, extending their influence to previously peaceful areas. These groups are responsible for murder, rape, arson and extortion, causing a major humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations, over 60,000 people have been displaced by the violence in just one month. Demonstrators are calling for an end to this chaotic situation, and accusing the government of inaction in the face of the gangs’ growing power. Some even suspect collusion between the authorities and gang leaders.
How the protests unfolded
The mobilization began peacefully, with chants and slogans such as “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, and get them out of here! Barricades of burning tires were erected to block the roads. However, the situation degenerated when clashes with police broke out near the office of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. Tear gas was used to disperse the crowd, but some demonstrators retaliated by throwing stones. Shots were also reported, causing panic among participants.
Impact and reactions
The current crisis extends beyond Port-au-Prince: gangs recently attacked Mirebalais in the center of the country, releasing over 500 prisoners and leaving almost 6,000 people homeless. Between July 2024 and February 2025, over 4,200 people were killed in Haiti due to gang-related violence. The protests reflect a widespread sense of abandonment among Haitian citizens desperate to regain some semblance of normalcy.
This mobilization marks an important step in the growing discontent with the Haitian government, and could intensify international pressure to support efforts to restore order to the country.