Haiti drone strikes kill over 1,200 since 2025, Human Rights Watch says

A report by Human Rights Watch alleges that drone strikes conducted by Haitian security forces have killed over 1,200 people in and around Port-au-Prince since 2025, including at least 60 civilians. The strikes are part of a government crackdown on armed gangs that control large parts of the capital. The report details specific incidents where civilians, including children, were killed in markets and residential areas. Haitian officials have not yet commented on the findings, but the government has previously defended its use of force against gang violence. The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the allegations. The violence has displaced thousands and exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in the country.

Global Impact

The report deepens Haiti's political isolation and could prompt Western nations to suspend security assistance, weakening the government's fight against gangs. Economically, the violence deters foreign investment and disrupts agricultural exports, worsening a poverty crisis.