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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...

  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...

  The Urgent Need to Eradicate Terrorist Gangs in Haiti: A Humanitarian Imperative By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) Introduction  The current situation in Haiti has reached a critical juncture, with the capital, Port-au-Prince, facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The rampant violence perpetrated by terrorist gangs has not only destabilized the nation but also crippled its healthcare system, leading to severe consequences for the population. While efforts are being made to reclaim territories, as highlighted by the recent statement from the Director General of the Haitian National Police, Normil Rameau, these actions alone are insufficient. Rameau affirmed that the premises of the State University Hospital of Haiti have never been retaken by bandits and that this was an attempt to discredit the police's efforts to restore order in the metropolitan area [1]. However, it is evident that restoring order must go beyond merely reclaiming territories. T...