The head of Haiti’s National Police, André Jonas Vladimir Paraison, has stated that authorities are developing a plan to hold general elections this year, despite rampant gang violence. Paraison, who became interim chief in August, said the plan is still being finalised but more details will be released soon.
Haiti’s government has proposed elections in late August with a runoff in early December. The Provisional Electoral Council announced that registration for political parties and candidates will open from 2 to 12 March. The country has not held a general election in over a decade, and gang violence has escalated since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in July 2021.
Paraison described the situation as having “exploded,” but assured that police are working to restore security. Gangs control an estimated 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have displaced a record 1.4 million people. More than 5,900 people were killed last year, according to UN statistics.
Paraison hopes to increase police numbers, having recently overseen the graduation of nearly 900 cadets. However, Haiti currently has fewer than two officers per 1,000 inhabitants, well below the international standard. Despite this, recent operations have retaken key areas from gangs, including Carrefour-Aéroport.
The police chief noted that gangs are heavily armed with weapons smuggled mainly from the US, particularly Florida. Haiti’s police are working alongside a UN-backed mission led by Kenyan officers, which remains underfunded and understaffed. A new gang suppression force is expected to replace the mission in the coming months.
