By Micah Jonah
March 11, 2026
Human Rights Watch reports that explosive drone operations by Haitian security forces targeting gangs have killed over 1,200 people since March 2025, including 43 adult civilians and 17 children. The operations, primarily in Port-au-Prince, intensified in recent months.
Haitian forces carried out these strikes with assistance from Vectus Global, led by Erik Prince, a US-licensed private contractor. Many strikes occurred in densely populated neighborhoods.
Human Rights Watch criticizes the strikes as unlawful and disproportionate, urging Haitian authorities and foreign partners to impose safeguards to protect civilians. Residents reported fear of leaving their homes, as drones could maneuver between buildings while tracking targets with live video feeds.
The United Nations’ human rights office in Haiti has documented dozens of civilian deaths and injuries, including children killed at a sports center and a mother of three killed while selling goods. No investigations appear underway into government-linked drone killings.
HRW called on Haitian authorities to rein in security forces and private contractors before more civilian lives, particularly children’s, are lost.
