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  Barbecue on the Run: A Nation’s Fight Against Gang Terror  By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) The Haitian National Police (PNH) launched a large-scale joint offensive with the MMS and the fledging Haitian army forces in the commune of Delmas this weekend, striking at the heart of criminal strongholds that have terrorized Port-au-Prince. This decisive operation aligns with the strategies outlined in the Manifesto Appel du Lambi and reflects a renewed commitment to restoring law and order in Haiti’s embattled capital. A Coordinated Strike on Gang Strongholds Specialized units of the PNH, equipped with armored vehicles including a militarized bulldozer and advanced weaponry, targeted key locations in bas-Delmas long identified as hubs for arms trafficking, kidnappings, and extortion. Witnesses reported an unprecedented deployment of heavily armed officers as the joint forces pushed into gang-controlled areas, dismantling barricades and confronting heavily armed c...

  MEGA FM’s Dangerous Gamble: Journalism or Gang Propaganda? By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) The recent MEGA FM broadcast of 'Boukante Lapawol' on November 12 has sparked widespread debate, raising serious concerns about journalistic ethics, regulatory efficacy, and the role of media in Haiti’s ongoing crisis The show’s decision to air extensive interviews with gang-affiliated individuals, including the notorious Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, has been criticized for crossing into murky territory where journalism risks becoming propaganda. Coupled with CONATEL’s lackluster regulatory response, this incident exposes critical gaps in both media accountability and regulatory governance [1,2]. Broadcast Ethics: Journalism or Promotion? The Boukante Lapawol broadcast allocated nearly three hours of airtime to  “Barbecue" and other gang affiliated figures, a move that appears more akin to promotion than balanced journalism. Interviews provided an unchallenged plat...

  Is Haiti Ready to Pay the Price for Its Own Bukele Option? By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) In the depths of its current crisis, Haiti stands at a defining moment. With armed gangs controlling vast swaths of urban centers and rural enclaves, traditional approaches to governance and diplomacy have proven inadequate. The call for a decisive, militarized strategy—what some term Haiti’s “Bukele option,” inspired by El Salvador’s aggressive crackdown on gangs under President Nayib Bukele—presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Haitian diplomacy[1]. The Bukele Model: Lessons for Haiti El Salvador’s dramatic transformation from a gang-ridden state to a relatively secure nation under Bukele has captured global attention. His strategy has combined: 1. Relentless Urban Warfare Tactics: Deploying heavily armed security forces to dismantle gang strongholds. 2. Mass Incarceration: Constructing mega-prisons to detain thousands of gang members without bail. 3. Nar...

  Balancing Freedom of Expression and National Security: The Case of CONATEL and Mega FM By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) The recent order by Haiti's Conseil National des Télécommunications (CONATEL) to suspend the show 'Boukante Lapawol', broadcasted on Mega FM 103.7 MHz, raises pressing questions about the delicate balance between national security and freedom of the press. While CONATEL’s directive seeks to curb the dissemination of propaganda allegedly supporting armed terror groups, the decision comes with significant implications for fundamental rights, as championed by Le Manifeste L'Appel du Lambi and other defenders of democratic freedoms. The Context According to CONATEL’s directive, Boukante Lapawol has aired content endorsing individuals linked to violence and instability in Haiti. Mentioned by name are Jeff Gwo Lwa, a leader of the Canaan gang, and Jimmy Cherizier, also known as BBQ, who has been sanctioned by the United Nations for terrori...

  Response to Macron’s Comments on Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) Introduction The relationship between Haiti and France is deeply rooted in history, characterized by the legacies of colonization, revolution, and the enduring complexities of postcolonial dynamics. French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent comments at the G20 summit, describing Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) as “total morons” for their dismissal of Prime Minister Garry Conille, warrant a measured but firm response. These remarks, though perhaps born of frustration, undermine the historical context, the sovereignty of Haiti, and the shared responsibility of the international community toward Haiti’s crisis. Historical Context of Haiti-France Relations 1. Colonial Legacy and Independence Haiti's independence in 1804 came at the cost of immense bloodshed and resilience against French colonial exploitation and slavery. While the Haitia...

 The International Community’s Stance on Haiti and the Way Forward By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) Background Haiti’s escalating security crisis has once again brought its plight to the forefront of international deliberations. Gangs now control approximately 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have extended their grip to surrounding areas, severely compromising the country’s stability. Amid this backdrop, a Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission was deployed under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023 to assist the Haitian National Police (HNP) in regaining control. However, despite some progress, the mission faces severe funding and resource shortfalls, leading to calls for its transformation into a U.N. peacekeeping operation [1]. The Debate at the U.N. Security Council On November 20, 2024, the Security Council convened to discuss a U.S.-led proposal, backed by Ecuador, to transition the MSS mission into a U.N. peacekeeping o...