March 15, 2026
It took two days of intense exchanges for the Haitian National Police (HNP) to restore order in the commune of Tabarre. The operation, carried out on November 7 and 8, 2025, by the West Departmental Directorate 2 (DDO-2), aimed to neutralize the 400 Mawozo and Chen Mechan gangs, responsible for paralyzing the bridge connecting Tabarre to Carrefour Marassa.
According to the Police Communication Directorate (DICOP in French), the intervention allowed authorities to regain control of Carrefour Marassa, a strategic junction often contested between armed groups. Three suspected gang members were killed, several others were wounded, and a vehicle used by the assailants was seized by law enforcement.
On the night of November 9, sporadic gunfire was still heard in nearby areas—signs that criminal networks were trying to spread panic. The HNP described these as “diversionary shots” with no real impact on the situation, assuring that “traffic has now been restored and the bridge is under the control of regular forces.”
This operation is part of a broader offensive against armed strongholds in the capital, following similar interventions in Simon Pelé and other high-risk neighborhoods. However, despite these temporary gains, much of Port-au-Prince remains under the grip of gangs—particularly those aligned under the Viv Ansanm coalition—highlighting the fragility of Haiti’s ongoing security efforts.
