Overview:
Clashes following a security operation—conducted by the Haitian National Police and supported by the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force—against the Kokorat San Ras gang in Gros-Morne have disrupted National Road 5, increased transportation costs, and driven up consumer goods prices. The situation has prompted authorities to plan a permanent anti-gang base in the area and to urge vulnerable residents to temporarily leave gang strongholds as security operations to regain control continue.
PORT-DE-PAIX, Haiti — Gang retaliation after a late-September security operation in Gros-Morne, Artibonite, has disrupted the movement of goods and fuel along National Road 5 (RN5), driving up transportation costs and prices in Haiti’s Northwest, according to merchants and transporters, who urge law enforcement authorities to take concrete action.
“Since the operation carried out by the Gang Suppression Force, the gang members have become much more hostile toward us [travelers and merchants] who have to use National Road 5,” said Kerline Pierre, 29, a grocery merchant from Port-de-Paix.
“It has become much more difficult than previously for us to restock our goods,” she told The Haitian Times last week. “We are forced to sell our products at higher prices to cover transportation costs, especially since we also have to pay fees at the reinforced gang-controlled checkpoints.”
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The disruption shows how efforts to reclaim territory from armed groups can have consequences far beyond the immediate site of an operation when security gains aren’t sustained.
The 44-mile highway is a vital route for transporting goods, fuel and passengers between Haiti’s Northwest Department and Gonaïves, the main city in the Artibonite Department, with connections to southern Haiti via National Road 1.
As gangs restrict access to the road, they threaten not only travelers but also the supply chains that keep businesses operating and basic goods available.
The situation in Gros-Morne reflects a broader problem facing Haiti as authorities and security forces try to challenge armed groups that control territory, restrict movement and extort money from travelers and traders. Even when security operations target gang infrastructure, retaliatory attacks can affect residents and disrupt economic activity far beyond the areas where confrontations occur.
Gang retaliation disrupts supply chain on RN5
The security operation in Gros-Morne, conducted on Sept. 28 by the Haitian National Police (PNH) and supported by the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), targeted a toll checkpoint allegedly established by Kokorat San Ras, an armed group that has operated in the area. Clashes reportedly followed the operation, leaving at least 14 dead, including three suspected gang members, according to local reports.
“Since the operation carried out by the Gang Suppression Force, the gang members have become much more hostile toward us [travelers and merchants] who use this road.
Kerline Pierre, Port-de-Paix merchant
Since then, suspected gang members have tightened restrictions on vehicles carrying merchandise, disrupting deliveries along RN5. Merchants said some trucks have been blocked even after paying the tolls demanded at gang-controlled checkpoints.
“Gang members were very angry after the security forces raided the area,” retail distributor Fanel Jean, 55, said. “They blocked our cargo trucks at their illegal toll checkpoint to make their displeasure felt.”
As transporters, distributors and Madan Sara struggle to move goods to markets across the Northwest, some shipments have been delayed for days — limiting supplies to retailers and forcing some businesses to temporarily suspend operations.
Wilmanie Fraïs, a 35-year-old entrepreneur and retail store owner, is one of the locals forced to halt operations.
“For several days, our shipments of goods were held up,” said Fraïs, Co-owner of Kwen Lakay Bar Restaurant. “My drivers and other workers were unable to travel through the area controlled by the gangs. This situation forced me to temporarily close my businesses while waiting for conditions to improve.”
Residents, including vendors and retail resellers, rushing toward a truck carrying food supplies shortly after its arrival at the commercial center Dimarsais Estimé in Port-de-Paix, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Photo by Kervenson Martial/The Haitian Times
The interruptions are also adding costs throughout the supply chain. Merchants must account for delays, more expensive transportation, and payments demanded at checkpoints, costs they ultimately pass on to consumers.
“The businesses we buy from to resell their products to our customers are already informing us of price increases following the disruptions caused by the attacks in the region,” said Mélanie Gustave, a 38-year-old mother of four
“As small retailers, we are also forced to sell products at higher prices. Consumers complain all the time,” Gustave added.
According to vendor Jasmide Nordé, a 55-pound bag of rice previously sold for 3,500 gourdes (about $26.92), while a 55-pound bag of beans cost 5,500 gourdes (about $42.31). Both have since increased, with the bag of rice now selling for 4,000 gourdes (about $30.77) and beans for 6,250 gourdes (about $48.08). Meanwhile, the price of cooking oil has risen from 1,200 gourdes (about $9.23) a gallon to 1,500 gourdes (about $11.54).
Shoppers told The Haitian Times that rising prices are affecting daily purchases, particularly food and beverages.
“Every product we are used to buying at a certain price is becoming more expensive, whether it is beverages, food, or any other item we use in our daily lives. It’s extremely difficult to feed our children,” said 38-year-old mother Lorna Vilcin.
Fuel supplies are also under pressure. Tankers traveling from storage depots in Port-au-Prince to cities in the Northwest region have reportedly been stranded along the route, delaying distribution to gas stations and businesses.
Limited availability at gas stations is pushing some consumers toward the informal market, where prices are significantly higher than government-set rates.
“Fuel is almost impossible to find at gas stations,” truck driver Dinel Oscar, 45, said. “We are forced to buy a gallon of gas on the informal market from street vendors at prices as high as 1,500 gourdes (about $11.54), even though the authorized price is 700 gourdes (about $5.40).”
Authorities plan permanent police presence
In response to the deteriorating security situation, authorities plan to permanently establish a reinforced police-GSF base near downtown Gros-Morne, according to city Mayor Hubert Cénéac. The measure aims to strengthen security and sustain operations as residents and businesses face the consequences of gang activity along the highway, he told The Haitian Times.
Cénéac added that authorities have also urged vulnerable residents to temporarily leave rural communities that have become strongholds for members of Kokorat San Ras. The advice underscores the danger facing people who live in areas where armed groups maintain a presence and strategically shield themselves against police raids.
The measures come amid repeated calls from business owners and other economic stakeholders for the government and security forces to restore safe passage along RN5.
“ Residents and merchants need more than a temporary reopening of the road,” entrepreneur Lony Jean said. “They need conditions that allow transporters and residents to travel without being attacked, blocked or forced to pay gang-imposed fees.”
Jean added that the government and the country’s security forces, including the GSF, the PNH and the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd’H), must intervene to permanently reopen the highway and facilitate business activities.
