Haitian gangs’ call for mobilization prompts high alert from foreign embassies, police
Public threats from leaders of Haiti’s powerful gang alliance fueled new tensions on Sunday, prompting the United Nations and foreign embassies to advise their staff to stay off the streets of the capital on Monday.
In separate announcements, U.N. security instructed personnel to work from home and recommended that only critical movements be authorized in the West region, which includes metropolitan Port-au-Prince. The Haiti National Police, meanwhile, announced that all personnel leave has been cancelled until further notice.
Foreign embassies were weighing Sunday whether to temporarily close their doors after videos began circulating with fresh public threats from leaders of Viv Ansanm, the gang alliance whose violence has led to thousands of deaths already this year and the displacement of more than 1.4 million Haitians. The U.S. embassy announced it would be “operating at reduced staffing due to the possibility of increased security-related activity,” while France announced its consulate services would be closed on Monday.
In one video released late Saturday, warlord Jimmy Chérizier, known as “Barbecue,” said gang members’ intentions “to take to the streets” and advised the public to stay indoors “to avoid becoming victims.”
In another video, a gang leader and coalition member known as “Krisla” called for “a general strike” and urged Haitians nationwide “to rise up en masse.”
All schools and government offices in Carrefour should close on Monday, said Krisla, who controls the sprawling suburb south of Port-au-Prince. Only hospitals and the fire department should remain open. In his message released Sunday, Krisla accused Haitian security forces of using a helicopter to members of the public, and called for “the entire country” to fight against the “corrupted” system.”
“We are telling the Haitian people, the youth, we have to take our destiny in our hands,” he said accusing journalists, the elite and transitional government of conspiring against Viv Ansanm.
The threats are being prompted by stepped up security operations targeting members of the gang alliance. The operations have triggered panic within the ranks of Viv Ansanm, whose members last week found themselves in an exchange of gunfire with Marines guarding the U.S. embassy.
The incident, which came to light over the weekend, was confirmed by both the State Department and the U.S. Marines.
“Marines supporting embassy security operations were fired upon by suspected gang members in Port-au-Prince and the Marines returned fire on the evening of 13 Nov.,” Capt Steven J. Keenan, a spokesman for the Marines, confirmed to the Miami Herald in an email. “No Marines were injured.”
The State Department said the embassy’s security has not been compromised and Marine forces continue to ensure the protection of the embassy, its personnel and its property.
“For operational security reasons, we do not discuss specific details regarding security measures or force-protection protocols.,” a spokesperson said.
This is not the first time that suspected gang members have opened fire near the embassy, which is surrounded by at least three major armed groups and has been forced to reduce staff due to the escalating violence. The recent exchange with Marines has unfolded amid a war of words and expanded anti-gang operations.
Last week, specialized units of the Haiti National Police, the Armed Forces of Haiti, and the Kenyan-led security mission operating as the recently approved Gang Suppression Force carried out operations targeting the strongholds of the 400 Mawozo and Chen Mechan gangs and their leaders. The forces also received help from a weaponized drone task force overseen by private military contractors employed by former Blackwater founder Erik Prince.
In reaction to the expanded security operations, leaders of Viv Ansanm threatened a shutdown of the country on Monday.
On Sunday, members of the gang coalition, which has been designated by Washington as a foreign and global terrorist organization, reportedly set up roadblocks and burning barricades in Cité Militaire and Simon-Pelé, west of the Airport Road in Port-au-Prince.
Meanwhile, 400 Mawozo, whose leader remains at large, set up multiple barricades in their Croix-des-Bouquets stronghold. Haitian police’s anti-gang units were deployed to the areas.
The clashes between gangs and security forces had the area around the U.S. Embassy at times sounding like a war zone. Embassy employees as late as Saturday afternoon were under shelter-in-place orders as Marines also reportedly engaged in the dark.
On Saturday, as police units targeted 400 Mawozo, Viv Ansanm gang members turned to a common tactic to stretch police resources and break the momentum of the operations. Over Haitian police radio, officers were told that gangs were approaching the old U.S. Embassy building in downtown Port-au-Prince. The building, which was donated to the Haitian government after the 2010 earthquake, has been off limits due to gangs’ control of the area.
Jack Ombaka, spokesman for the Kenyan forces, said that in addition to the previously reported high-powered Barrett M50 sniper rifle that was recovered during the operations, security forces also seized six assault rifles and three pistols. The weapons were seized from 400 Mawozo, which had blocked and fortified several sections of National Route 3.
Security forces also intercepted and seized an armored bulldozer the gang had been using to erect road barricades, Ombaka said.
Haitian police previously told the Herald that seven gang members had been killed as of Friday, and a helicopter providing air support to police units had to be destroyed after it was forced to make an emergency landing in the Santo and Lilavois area.
“The elite unit on board was immediately secured and evacuated by ground units, who came under heavy gunfire from gangs during the extraction,” Ombaka said.
Despite recent signs that gangs have slowed their attacks in Port-au-Prince, they’ve continued to use aggressive tactics to maintain their grip on 90% of the capital, and they have resumed for-ransom kidnappings, demanding upwards of over $100,000 for the release of victims.
This story was originally published November 16, 2025 at 2:39 PM.
