State Secretary for Public Security Mario Andrésol
Port-au-Prince, January 7, 2026.- Guest of the Magik Panel on Magik9, this Wednesday, January 7, the Secretary of State for Public Safety, Mario Andrésol, took stock of the government's security action. He accused the Executive Director of the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH), Pierre Espérance, of past interference in the affairs of the State, while assuring that Port-au-Prince will not fall and that the axes towards the South and the North will be reopened before 7 February.
Mario Andrésol strongly attacked Pierre Espérance, claiming that he was « Most powerful man in the Republic » before his denunciations. In particular, he accuses him of blocking a decision of the Minister of Justice concerning the invitation of a police officer, rejecting any accusation that his statements were intended to favour a criminal group. The Secretary of State said he did not want to enter into a personal confrontation with the human rights defender.
At the institutional level, Mr. Andrésol revealed that the National Police of Haiti (PNH) did not use a budgetary appropriation of one million gourdes at the end of the fiscal year, due to administrative difficulties. He pointed out that working sessions had been initiated with the Directorate General of the PNH in order to improve the management of procedures and enable better absorption of budgetary resources.
Regarding the fight against gangs, the Secretary of State confirmed that the PNH still awaits equipment ordered since November 2025, which is essential to speed up operations. However, he expressed confidence in their imminent delivery, stressing that they will help avoid the traps of bandits and advance on the ground. A plan for the resumption of the South Road was presented to him by the Director General of the PNH, whom he considered relevant without revealing the details.
Mario Andrésol also stated that the current strategy aims to dismantle gang structures and isolate their leaders, even if they are not immediately arrested. It confirmed the systematic use of explosive drones, the neutralization of several bandits, as well as the deployment of armoured vehicles received as gifts, notably in Mirebalais and Artibonite.
Finally, the Secretary of State was reassuring: « Port-au-Prince has not fallen and will not fall ». He praised the best coordination between the PNH, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd-H), the Gangs Repression Force (FRG) and the Task Force, considering that real progress has been made since March 2025 thanks to strengthened leadership and renewed synergy between the security forces.
W.A.
