The Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), Vladimir Paraison, stated that the institution does not possess armed drones to combat gangs.
“The day the Haitian National Police (PNH) has drones equipped with explosives, we would no longer have borders, because we have every interest in ensuring that calm prevails in the country,” Paraison said.
What coordination exists between the PNH and private military companies?
In addition to the PNH and the Anti-Gang Task Force (FRG)—preceded by the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS)—the government has relied on private military companies to counter gangs. Asked whether these private firms are the ones using drones, Paraison said he could not speak on their behalf.
On January 14, in a statement, the PNH reported conducting an operation in the stronghold of gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier in Delmas 6. The statement noted that the operation was carried out alongside the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H), the FRG, a Task Force, and a PMC (Private Military Company).
“That company was not supporting the PNH. The company was doing its own work, and the PNH was doing its own,” Paraison said, emphasizing that there was no operational collaboration on the ground.
“In intelligence services, it is possible that private companies relay information to the government, which is then passed on to us,” he added, without further details.
Drones: an increasingly used tool
Drones equipped with explosive charges are being used more frequently in the fight against gangs. Their first use dates back to March 2025, and since then, their detonations have become increasingly common.
In a report published on March 10, the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch documented the damage caused by quadcopter drones carrying explosive payloads.
“According to data from multiple sources reviewed by Human Rights Watch, at least 1,243 people were killed by drone strikes in 141 operations between March 1, 2025, and January 21, 2026, including at least 43 adults who did not appear to belong to criminal groups and 17 children. The data also show that drone strikes injured 738 people, including at least 49 non-combatants,” the report states.
The organization also noted an increase in the use of explosive drones in Port-au-Prince. According to the report, 57 drone attacks were recorded between November 2025 and January 2026, compared to 29 attacks between August and October.
“More than 40% of reported killings occurred between December 1 and January 21. The average number of people killed per operation is 8.8, with the deadliest operation causing 57 deaths,” the report added.
Human Rights Watch further indicated that the Task Force “operated with the support of Vectus Global, a private military company led by Erik Prince,” citing information from the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and other informed sources.
According to statements cited by Human Rights Watch, Erik Prince said that Vectus Global had signed a one-year contract with the Haitian government and had recruited Salvadoran operators to help “the Haitian police use armed drones.”
