Haiti – Viv Ansanm gang members set fire to former RTC building in Port-au-Prince – 14 March 2025

Information:

• During the night of 12 - 13 March 2025, gang members belonging to the Viv-Ansanm coalition set fire to the former building housing the country’s oldest radio station, Radio Télévision Caraïbes (RTVC), in Port-au-Prince.

• RTVC had abandoned the building about a year ago, in March 2024, and moved its operations to Pétionville due to escalating gang violence.

• The recent incident follows an attack by by gang members who invaded the neighbourhoods of Carrefour-Feuilles and Capis Street and set fire to other buildings and looting several homes and businesses, including Mélodie Radio Station.

• The attack is part of fresh violence launched this week by gang criminals since 11 March 2025. Areas around the Oloffson Hotel and Place Jérémie, have been subjected to arson attacks.

Assessment

• Considering that the area is still under the control of gang members, it is difficult to assess the extent of the damage done. Following the arson attack, the government implemented reinforced measures to secure media outlets.

• The attack on the radio station is described as an attempt by the gang to intimidate media workers, including journalists.

• Gangs have consistently targeted journalists in the country. In December 2024, two journalists were killed when gang members opened fire at a government press conference held to announce the reopening of the country’s main general hospital in Port-au-Prince. On 14 March 2025, consular services at the French Embassy were closed due to the recent wave of violence in the capital.

• Between mid-February and early March 2025, more than 42,000 people have been displaced from their homes