Drone strikes in Haiti’s antigang operations kill more than 1,200, including children

MEXICO CITY

Drone attacks conducted by Haitian security forces and private US contractors targeting criminal gangs have killed at least 1,243 people, including unarmed civilians with no gang ties and children, according to a report published Tuesday by Human Rights Watch.

In an attempt to halt the advance of gangs across Haitian territory, security forces working with US contractors have conducted extensive drone strikes, some of which appear to be deliberate extrajudicial killings, the report said.

“Dozens of ordinary Haitians, including many children, have been killed and injured in these deadly drone operations,” said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.

According to data from multiple sources reviewed by Human Rights Watch, at least 1,243 people were killed in drone strikes in 141 operations between March 1, 2025 and Jan. 21, including at least 43 adults who were reportedly not members of criminal groups and 17 children.

Another 738 people were injured, of whom at least 49 were reportedly not members of criminal groups.

“Haitian authorities should urgently rein in security forces and private contractors before more children are killed in these attacks,” Goebertus said.

The security strategy in Haiti has relied on private military contractors such as US-based Vectus Global, a firm led by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, which secured a 10-year contract with the Haitian government under Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime to combat gang violence.

It has provided drones, helicopters and intelligence support since March last year, when Didier Fils-Aime announced the creation of a peace and security task force.

The number of armed drone attacks in the capital Port-au-Prince has significantly increased in recent months, with 57 reported between November and Jan. 21, nearly double the 29 from August through October, the report said.