According to a recent report released by the non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch, Haiti has been employing drones to combat gang organizations. However, these operations conducted in densely populated areas also pose a risk of civilian casualties.
The report by Human Rights Watch indicated that since March of last year, the Haitian National Police have carried out large-scale drone attacks in densely populated areas of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Between March 1, 2025, and January 21, 2026, the Haitian National Police conducted 141 drone attack operations, resulting in at least 1,243 deaths, over 738 injuries, including 49 non-gang members.
Armed gang violence is rampant in Haiti, leading to thousands of deaths, millions of people displaced, and significant damage to the local economy. Despite ongoing efforts by Haitian authorities, with support from countries like the United States, the United Nations, and Kenya, the activities of these gangs have extended far beyond Port-au-Prince, with major gang leaders still at large.
The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) confirmed that the drone attacks in Haiti were carried out by a “task force” assembled by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, and this force operates with the support of the U.S. private military company Vectus Global.
In recent months, drone law enforcement operations in Port-au-Prince have been on the rise. The number of operations from November to January 21 almost doubled compared to the period from August to October last year.
According to reports from Reuters, Juanita Goebertus, the Americas director of Human Rights Watch, stated that authorities should enhance supervision of these drone operations to prevent harm to innocent civilians.