December 22, 2024
On Thursday, November 28, 2024, the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission inaugurated an advanced operational base at the premises of the Inspectorate General of the Haitian National Police (IGPNH) in Bas-Delmas. Abandoned for years due to gang violence, the building has now been reoccupied by security forces to strengthen efforts against criminal activity in this sensitive area. In a statement published on X (formerly Twitter), the MSS noted that this base aims to “pacify the corridor leading to the seafront, the National Port Authority (NPA), and the neighboring Delmas region where Barbecue and his followers operate.”
Despite the dilapidated condition of the premises, caused by years of vandalism and gang attacks, authorities have planned for swift rehabilitation. Upon their arrival, MSS and Haitian National Police (HNP) personnel faced resistance from local gangs, but these threats were quickly neutralized, enabling restoration work to begin immediately. The base’s location is strategic, near the Central Directorate of Traffic Police (CDTP) and the CIMO base (a law enforcement unit), providing a critical foothold for security operations.
The purpose of this facility is to effectively combat the criminal activities rampant in the region, including arms and drug trafficking along the coastline. Authorities also aim for the base to facilitate rapid interventions in critical areas such as the National Port and the Delmas neighborhood, often regarded as strongholds for armed groups. This new infrastructure plays a vital role in the national security strategy, underscored by the troubling rise in attacks in areas like Solino and Delmas in recent weeks.
However, authorities have urged caution. While this base represents a significant tool in the fight against gangs, residents are advised to remain vigilant against persistent risks. This initiative reflects the MSS’s commitment to restoring stability in a key region while highlighting the challenges of reestablishing order amid an extended security crisis.