On October 9, 2025, the heart of Port-au-Prince pulsed with both hope and dread as Haiti’s top leaders gathered at the National Palace for a meeting that was as much about symbolism as it was about substance. The rare assembly—attended by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and members of the country’s transitional presidential council—was meant to showcase the government’s intent to reclaim the capital from the grip of gangs, particularly the notorious Viv Ansanm coalition. Instead, it was violently interrupted by a hail of gunfire, underscoring the daunting reality of Haiti’s ongoing crisis.
According to Associated Press, the gunfire erupted just as the officials were convening to approve critical budgets and governance measures, including the 2025-2026 national budget. Before the chaos, the mood outside the palace was almost ceremonial: a police band played, the national flag was raised, and heavily armed officers stood guard behind sandbags. It was, on paper, a moment of defiance and unity—a government trying to project normalcy and authority in a city where such things have become rare commodities.
But the sense of order didn’t last long. Local media, including Tripotay Lakay, captured images of a caravan of official vehicles making a hasty exit from the palace’s rear as gunfire rang out, while civilians in the area scrambled for safety. At least one armored vehicle was reportedly shot up in the melee, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities.
The meeting was, by all accounts, a calculated risk. As FRANCE 24 reported, the National Palace itself sits in an area that had been largely abandoned by officials due to the overwhelming presence of gangs. In recent weeks, however, government workers had begun the painstaking task of clearing and securing the neighborhood, aiming to reestablish a sense of state control. The government described the gathering as a “symbolic and decisive step in the gradual resumption of state control over downtown Port-au-Prince, the historic heart of republican power.”
Prime Minister Fils-Aimé, speaking just before the violence broke out, set the tone for the day: “We are taking back control of our capital and giving our people the security and dignity they deserve.” The words were bold, but the events that followed highlighted just how far the government has to go. Gangs are estimated to control up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, a staggering figure that reflects the depth of the country’s security crisis.
Leslie Voltaire, a former vice president of the transitional council who presided over the meeting in the absence of the council’s leader, later posted on social media, “We discussed matters of national importance, such as security, the 2025-2026 budget, and national governance. The State reaffirms all of its authority over the Champ de Mars.” Notably, Voltaire made no mention of the gunfire that had disrupted the session, perhaps a tacit acknowledgment of the government’s desire to project stability in the face of chaos.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Chérizier—better known as Barbecue and the leader of Viv Ansanm—was quick to dismiss government claims of progress. According to El Balad, Chérizier took to social media to taunt officials, suggesting that any attempt to restore order would be met with fierce resistance from the gangs. His message was clear: the battle for Port-au-Prince is far from over, and the gangs have no intention of ceding ground without a fight.
The backdrop to Thursday’s violence is a nation in deep crisis. Haiti has not had a sitting president or a functioning congress since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, and no national elections have been held since 2016. The interim government, described by FRANCE 24 as “fragile,” has struggled to assert its authority in the face of rampant poverty, corruption, and a near-total collapse of public order. The most recent surge in gang violence forced the resignation of the previous prime minister in 2024, further destabilizing the country.
As the meeting unfolded, police and armored vehicles patrolled the streets around the National Palace, but their presence did little to deter the gunmen. An AFP correspondent and other witnesses confirmed the intensity of the gunfire, which echoed through the city’s largely gang-controlled downtown. The government did not immediately release details on whether anyone was hurt or killed during the incident.
The international community has not stood idly by. Just days before the meeting, the United Nations Security Council approved the creation of a new gang suppression force, designed to help repel the gangs that have terrorized Haiti for years. This force is expected to replace a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police, which is winding down after struggling with limited resources and manpower.
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti emphasized the urgency of the situation, posting on social media, “Together, we will defeat the gangs terrorizing the region!” The embassy confirmed that the United States and its Caribbean partners are actively working to implement the new force, underscoring the international stakes in Haiti’s struggle for stability.
Despite these efforts, the challenges remain immense. Gangs like Viv Ansanm have entrenched themselves not only in Port-au-Prince but in surrounding communities as well. Their control over the city is not merely territorial—it extends to the daily lives of ordinary Haitians, who face constant threats of violence, extortion, and displacement. The government’s attempt to hold a meeting in the National Palace was meant to send a message of resilience, but the eruption of gunfire made clear just how precarious the situation remains.
Laurent Saint-Cyr, president of the transitional council, captured the gravity of the moment in a recent address at the United Nations. “Haiti is at war,” he declared—a stark assessment that few would dispute given the events of the past week.
For now, the government’s bold move to reclaim the National Palace stands as both a symbol of hope and a reminder of the road ahead. As the dust settles in downtown Port-au-Prince, the question lingers: can Haiti’s leaders, with the backing of international partners, truly wrest control from the gangs and restore a sense of normalcy to a battered nation?
One thing is certain—the eyes of the world remain fixed on Haiti, watching to see if this latest chapter will mark the beginning of a turnaround, or simply another episode in a long-running struggle for power and peace.
