Haitian Gang Asks Government Agency for Talks Amid Ongoing Clashes

One of Haiti’s most powerful armed groups sent a three-page statement on Friday asserting it has reached out to the government body charged with dismantling gangs. The 400 Mawozo faction, which calls itself a rebel group, wrote to the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration to initiate discussions on what it described as an act of patriotic responsibility.

In the letter, the gang emphasized that opening lines of communication is not a sign of defeat. It argued that dialogue is necessary to preserve human lives and establish national reconciliation. The group stated that Haiti’s future cannot rely solely on military confrontations. It proposed joining a peaceful demonstration later this month to lay the foundation for broader peace negotiations.

The commission confirmed that an individual contacted them on behalf of the armed group. However, officials noted that the commission operates under the prime minister’s office. They said any formal talks must follow the roadmap established by the government. The gang’s move comes as tensions remain high in Port-au-Prince.

Late Friday, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced on social media that a gang leader was killed in a joint operation. The National Police identified the deceased as Mathias, the leader of the Boston gang based in Cité Soleil. Police said several other members were injured or killed during the raid. They urged residents to surrender illegal weapons to improve their living conditions.

The 400 Mawozo group expressed concern over social media posts targeting the home of its leader, Wilson Joseph, also known as Lanmò Sanjou. The gang cited international laws, including the Geneva Conventions, to argue that civilian property should be protected during de-escalation efforts. El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele recently responded to a post showing Joseph’s home by asking for its exact address so it could be destroyed.

The gang said it would be beneficial if military forces paused operations in specific areas while peace talks begin. It views the current period as a chance to protect civilians and find a political solution. A spokesperson for the group told the Associated Press that the faction is willing to negotiate and view disarmament as a gradual process. The spokesperson said the group seeks peace and an end to what it calls international interference.

This outreach follows the deployment of more than 2,000 Salvadoran troops to Haiti in recent weeks. Those forces arrived after four aviation technicians were attacked and disappeared on October 18. The United Nations noted that most of these troops operate outside the official U.N.-backed suppression force. El Salvador’s government did not provide a comment on the new developments on Friday night.