By The editors, Press Lakay, March 18, 2025
The Haitian National Police (PNH) revealed on Tuesday that it has a unit specializing in the use of explosive drones amid widespread speculation about the use of explosive drones in operations to stop criminal armed groups.
At the beginning of March law enforcement officers used explosive drones for the first time in anti-gang operations. The device has sparked much debate as to whether law enforcement officers have the right to use them, or whether the device is appropriate for combat operations that must take place in areas still inhabited by civilians.
Ignoring all the controversies caused by the use of explosive drones during recent law enforcement operations, the PNH revealed on Tuesday, March 18, that it has a unit specialized in the operation of explosive drones.
PNH deputy spokesperson Lionel Lazarre explained: "This is a unit of nearly forty police officers who recently received training in this area in Jamaica and Mexico. The Canadian government supported the initiative".
"The training received by these dozen law enforcement officers has enabled them to properly maneuver explosive drones. This approach is supported by the American Embassy in Haiti," he added.
Meanwhile, the police press officer emphasized that the U.S. Embassy in Haiti plans to create space to house this new specialized PNH unit. This will allow the drone service to be structured so that it can properly carry out its work.
“The office will soon be operational, and when it is, everyone will know that it exists and that it will structure and put much more control over the use of drones,” Mr. Lazarre said.
"The space will be equipped with modern equipment to ensure the smooth operation of the service. Officials are also ensuring that officers assigned to use the drones will receive ongoing training, as the equipment used by the institution remains increasingly sophisticated," added the deputy spokesperson for the Haitian National Police.
The information revealing the existence of a unit specialized in the operation of explosive drones during anti-gang operations comes at a time when the UN was forced to formally deny the allegations, while widespread rumors suggested that the United Nations organization was not in favor of the use of explosive devices during interventions by the Haitian National Police in areas controlled by armed terrorist gangs.
Maria Salvador Isabel, Special Representative of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), has been denouncing local media outlets that continue to claim that the United Nations has ordered the National Police to cease their use of drones.
“No to disinformation,” wrote the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Maria Salvador Isabel.
Explosive drones were used for the first time on March 2 in Bas-Delmas by the Task Force set up by the Presidential Transitional Council and the head of government.
The new unit, composed of agents close to government agencies, dropped explosive devices on heavily armed individuals who were attempting to storm new localities in the commune of Delmas.
The day after this first offensive, the police repeated the attack, this time in the Village de Dieu, a town located at the southern entrance to Port-au-Prince, as well as in other districts of Cité Soleil.
While the Haitian National Police has yet to provide a casualty report, human rights organizations estimate that these repeated attacks have left several dozen victims.
Translated by CHIP editors
Posted April 5, 2025