March 17, 2026
Josué Saintina, a UDMO officer from the 34th promotion of the Haitian National Police (HNP), was fatally shot on Monday, November 17, in Laboderie, a sensitive area linking Arcahaie to Cabaret. He was inside an armored vehicle engaged against an armed group moving toward the City of the Flag when he was struck in the head at 4:02 p.m.
Rushed to the Hospital of Église de Dieu Réformé in Saintard, his condition required immediate air evacuation. Despite repeated requests, no helicopter was dispatched in time and he died at 7:40 p.m.
Arcahaie, now a pivotal point in the fight against armed groups, has suffered repeated attacks for months. The Viv Ansanm coalition is seeking to impose its domination there, taking advantage of institutional weakness to expand its presence.
Security forces have carried out several operations in the commune, killing multiple assailants according to internal reports, but criminal pressure remains constant. Residents live under the rhythm of gunfire, armed incursions, and the threat of a total takeover of the area.
The death of Saintina once again illustrates the operational limits of the current security response. Without rapid and strategic reinforcement of state resources, Arcahaie risks falling further under the control of armed groups determined to seize it.
