Actions

Haitian police appear to use drones in fight against gangs

Police posted video that appeared to show drone strikes targeting gang members, but the footage has since been removed.
Haitian police appear to use drones in fight against gangs
Screenshot 2025-05-28 at 9.03.59 AM.png
Posted

A controversial figure is reportedly stepping into Haiti’s escalating gang crisis.

Erik Prince, founder of the private military contractor Blackwater, has signed a contract to help combat the gangs that now control much of the Haitian capital, according to The New York Times. He is also reportedly working to recruit American military veterans and other mercenaries for possible deployment this summer.

The reported development comes as the Haitian government turns to weaponized drones in its fight against armed groups. Police posted video that appeared to show drone strikes targeting gang members, but the footage has since been removed.

The Times reports that Prince is part of a secret task force involved in the drone operations. It remains unclear whether any high-value targets were struck or why the video was taken down.

RELATED STORY | Why journalists are being hunted in Haiti: Velondie Miracle’s story

The latest development is sure to face scrutiny as humanitarian groups raise concerns about potential civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, few other actors are stepping in. The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, but there is little momentum for deploying international troops. A planned Kenya-led security force has stalled.

More than 1 million Haitians are now displaced, and roughly half the population faces food insecurity. What began as a security emergency is rapidly turning into a full-scale humanitarian collapse.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Thursday

05/29/2025

Clear

-° / 67°

0%

Friday

05/30/2025

Mostly Clear

104° / 74°

0%

Saturday

05/31/2025

Mostly Cloudy

106° / 75°

0%

Sunday

06/01/2025

Partly Cloudy

100° / 66°

0%

Monday

06/02/2025

Clear

94° / 64°

1%

Tuesday

06/03/2025

Clear

94° / 67°

0%

Wednesday

06/04/2025

Clear

96° / 68°

0%

Thursday

06/05/2025

Clear

95° / 68°

0%