A recent drone strike in Haiti’s capital tragically claimed the lives of eleven civilians, including eight innocent children. The devastating incident occurred when drones, reportedly targeting a gang leader, inadvertently hit a community birthday celebration on Saturday, a human rights organization confirmed.
This grim event highlights a controversial strategy initiated in March, where Haitian authorities engaged foreign military contractors to deploy armed drones. Their mission: to combat the notorious gangs that have plunged Port-au-Prince into a state of terror. These contractors are linked to a company associated with Erik Prince, a well-known figure and supporter of former President Trump.
Critics have long cautioned that these drone operations pose significant risks. Experts argue they may violate international law, as Haiti is not officially in an armed conflict. Furthermore, they warned of the high potential for civilian casualties, especially in the densely populated urban centers where gang activities are prevalent.
Previous drone incidents resulted in the accidental deaths of two police officers last month, and two adult civilians perished in June. However, Saturday’s strike marks a horrifying first, as it is the first recorded instance where children were among the casualties.
The National Human Rights Defense Network reported that two “kamikaze” drones were deployed on Saturday evening in Simon Pelé, an area within Cité Soleil. This large, impoverished neighborhood, located near Port-au-Prince’s airport, is under tight gang control.
The intended target of the strike was Albert Steevenson, a gang leader known as Djouma. Ironically, he was celebrating his birthday at the time, distributing gifts to children. Despite the precision targeting, Mr. Steevenson reportedly escaped the attack unharmed.
The human rights group detailed the devastating impact: the first drone killed eight children, ranging from 2 to 10 years old, along with three adults. Additionally, six more children sustained injuries. All of the victims were confirmed as civilians.
A subsequent drone strike impacted near the gang’s headquarters, resulting in the deaths of four gang members and injuries to seven others, according to Pierre Espérance, executive director of the National Human Rights Defense Network.
Among those killed in the strikes was a pregnant woman, a detail confirmed by an anonymous source familiar with the incident.
Jimmy Chérizier, a prominent gang leader known as “Barbecue,” swiftly condemned the drone strike, attributing the tragic misfire to the administration of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who authorized the use of contractors against gangs. Chérizier refuted claims of gang member casualties, asserting that only civilians had been killed.
He further stated that between 150 to 200 children had convened in a local park to receive cash gifts as part of Mr. Steevenson’s birthday celebration.
In a disturbing video statement, Mr. Chérizier declared, “No armed person died, but many people in the civilian population are victims,” and proceeded to display graphic images of the deceased children.
He accused the Fils-Aimé government of “continuings to massacre people in working-class neighborhoods.”
Reports from witnesses to the Associated Press described the horrifying aftermath, with children’s bodies severely disfigured.
Michelin Florville, a local resident, tragically informed the news agency that the explosion claimed the lives of his two grandchildren, aged 3 and 7, and his 32-year-old son.
He recounted the chaos, stating that “people were running right and left” in a desperate attempt to escape.
Haitian gangs frequently exploit civilians as human shields against drone attacks. Disturbingly, sources familiar with the incident, who wished to remain anonymous, indicated that the drone task force was aware of Mr. Steevenson’s birthday celebration and the likely presence of civilians.
A spokesman for the Haitian National Police refused to comment, and Prime Minister Fils-Aimé’s office cited an ongoing investigation as the reason for their silence. The presidential council’s spokeswoman also did not provide any information.
Erik Prince, the American military defense contractor whose company is involved, did not respond to inquiries. It remains uncertain whether his contractors or the Haitian police carried out Saturday’s devastating attack.
Mr. Espérance expressed deep concern over the lack of accountability for civilian deaths in drone strikes. He highlighted that despite numerous gang members being killed, no high-ranking leaders have been successfully targeted.
“On the contrary,” Espérance noted, “these leaders have grown more at ease and increasingly arrogant, even moving openly in convoys,” suggesting the strikes have not deterred top figures.
The human rights director also reported another incident on September 6, where 11 civilians were killed in a separate drone strike in downtown Port-au-Prince.
Still, many Haitians still see these drone strikes as a desperate, last-ditch effort for a nation engulfed in violence and feeling deserted by the global community.
The United Nations mandate for a multinational security force, currently led by Kenya and largely considered ineffective, is set to expire next week. This could potentially lead to the mission’s complete withdrawal from Haiti.
In response to the escalating crisis, the United States and Panama have put forth a proposal for a significantly larger gang suppression force, comprising at least 5,500 personnel – a force more than five times the size of the current deployment.
Christopher Landau, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, acknowledged the efforts of Kenya and other nations but stated on Monday in New York that “the mission currently lacks the mandate and the resources necessary to address the mounting scale of the challenge.” His remarks followed a meeting with Kenya’s president.
The U.N. Security Council is anticipated to vote on this new proposal shortly, though both Russia and China, holding veto power, have voiced their reservations.
Haiti’s descent into lawlessness began following the 2021 assassination of its president, Jovenel Moïse, a pivotal moment that exacerbated the country’s instability.
Gangs now effectively control major access routes in and out of the capital. They have initiated aggressive offensives, targeting entire neighborhoods, police stations, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure. The rampant violence has forced approximately 1.3 million people to abandon their homes in recent years, with nearly 4,000 fatalities reported within the first six months of this year alone.