Haitian Gang Seeks Talks as Fighting Continues

400 Mawozo said it had contacted Haiti’s government agency for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and wants dialogue aimed at peace and national reconciliation. The gang said it is willing to negotiate, but described disarmament as a process and said it wants an end to what it called international interference.

The commission confirmed that someone had contacted it on the gang’s behalf. It said talks with armed groups must follow the government’s proposed roadmap and that it works with the prime minister’s office.

The gang said it plans to join a peaceful demonstration later this month and urged relevant military forces to pause operations in certain areas while dialogue is opened. Its appeal comes amid continuing clashes involving Haitian police and foreign forces. El Salvador has sent more than 2,000 troops to Haiti after four Salvadoran aviation technicians were attacked and went missing on October 18.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé said on X on November 6 that a gang leader had been killed. A local human rights group identified him as Mathias, who led the Nan Boston gang in Port-au-Prince’s Cité Soleil neighborhood.

400 Mawozo also objected to social media posts targeting the home of its leader, Wilson Joseph. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele responded to a post showing the alleged home by saying he would destroy it if given the address. The gang called for civilian property to be protected. The Salvadoran government declined to comment.

Haiti Needs a Political Path Beyond More Military Force

Haiti’s worsening violence cannot be answered by force alone. On November 6, 400 Mawozo said it had contacted the government’s disarmament commission and was prepared to negotiate, while asking that military operations in certain areas pause to make room for dialogue.

The commission confirmed that someone had reached out for the gang, but said any talks must follow the government’s roadmap. That leaves the government with a choice: pursue a structured route toward disarmament, or let a spiraling security campaign remain the only answer. The gang says disarmament takes time and calls for an end to international interference.

The stakes are high as Haitian police and foreign forces continue fighting armed groups. El Salvador has deployed more than 2,000 troops after four Salvadoran aviation technicians were attacked and disappeared on October 18. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced on November 6 that a gang leader had been killed; a local human rights group identified him as Nan Boston leader Mathias.

The gang also condemned attention directed at its leader Wilson Joseph’s alleged home. President Nayib Bukele said he would destroy the house if given its address. Protecting civilians and their property must remain central, even amid the fight against gangs accused of grave abuses. A peace process is not capitulation; it is a chance to reduce violence and pursue a political solution.

Gang’s Peace Appeal Must Not Halt Haiti’s Fight Against Armed Groups

400 Mawozo wants dialogue, but its appeal must not become a reason to suspend the operations confronting Haiti’s armed gangs. On November 6, the group said it had contacted the government’s disarmament commission and asked military forces to pause operations in certain areas while talks begin.

The commission confirmed contact on the gang’s behalf, while making clear that any dialogue must follow the government’s roadmap. The gang says disarmament is a process and demands an end to what it calls international interference. Those are its terms, not proof that the threat has ended.

The security campaign is ongoing. Haitian police and foreign forces are fighting gangs, and El Salvador has sent more than 2,000 troops after four of its aviation technicians were attacked and went missing on October 18. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced on November 6 that a gang leader had been killed; a local human rights group identified him as Mathias of the Nan Boston gang.

The gang has also objected to posts targeting the alleged home of Wilson Joseph. President Nayib Bukele said he would destroy it if given the address. Civilian protections matter, but a call for dialogue cannot erase the allegations of rape, killing and kidnapping made against 400 Mawozo, which the gang denies. Any negotiations must proceed through the government’s stated process while authorities continue addressing the security crisis.