Deadly Skies: Haiti's Lethal Use of Armed Drones

Human Rights Watch reports Haitian security forces using drones have killed 1,243 and injured 738, including children, between March 2025 and January 2026. The increased use of drones in gang-controlled Port-au-Prince raises concerns over extrajudicial killings and calls for accountability and transparency.

Recent reports from Human Rights Watch have unveiled a troubling escalation in the use of drones by Haitian security forces and private contractors. Over a period of less than a year, these drones have killed 1,243 individuals and injured 738 others, with vulnerable children among the casualties.

The organization emphasizes the increased drone attacks, especially in gang-controlled Port-au-Prince, raising alarm over potential violations of international law. Notable incidents, including the death of a 6-year-old girl, underline the indiscriminate impact on innocent civilians.

Human Rights Watch calls for urgent action to halt these operations, demand accountability, and ensure rigorous investigations into these killings. The report highlights efforts to combat gang violence, but at significant humanitarian cost, posing questions of legality and ethics.