January 29, 2026
The Secretary of State for Public Security, Mario Andrésol, states that the security situation has seen gradual improvement between March 2025 and January 2026. Appearing on the program Panel Magik on January 7, he presented an assessment he considers encouraging despite persistent constraints on the ground.
Upon his arrival at the Secretariat of State, Mario Andrésol says he focused on coordination among forces engaged against armed gangs. He nevertheless acknowledges that this dynamic was initially hindered by command disagreements within the Haitian National Police.
Now appearing more confident, the former Director General of the HNP assures that Port-au-Prince remains under government control. He maintains that the recovery of the downtown area is underway and that the capital is not facing a security collapse.
Mario Andrésol also announces the reopening of roads linking the capital to the South and the North before February 7, a major political deadline. An operational plan has been submitted to him by the current HNP leadership for the southern route, which he deems viable without revealing details.
This assurance rests on strengthened cooperation between the HNP, the FAD’H, the Gang Suppression Force, and the Task Force, supported by new operational resources. Despite delays in the delivery of certain equipment and budgetary constraints, the Secretary of State asserts that the State now has the necessary levers to secure the main roadways.
