One of Haiti's most powerful armed groups, the 400 Mawozo gang, has called for peace negotiations with the government and international forces, as security operations against armed groups intensify around the capital, Port-au-Prince. The gang sent a three-page statement to The Associated Press on 6 November 2026, saying it had contacted Haiti's National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, the state body responsible for dismantling armed groups.

The statement argued that dialogue should not be interpreted as surrender. It described dialogue as an act of patriotic responsibility to preserve human lives, and called for a process that could reduce violence and protect civilians. A representative of the disarmament commission confirmed that someone had contacted it on the gang's behalf, but said any engagement would have to follow the government's established roadmap.

A request for UN mediation

The gang's leader, Wilson Joseph, known as Lanmò Sanjou, had already written to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on 1 November, asking the organisation to send a delegation to Haiti to facilitate dialogue between armed groups and international forces. In that letter, Joseph said his group had raised a white flag on 20 August and wanted a peaceful resolution to the country's security crisis.

The United Nations confirmed that it had received the communication, but stressed that accepting a letter did not constitute recognition of its author, endorsement of its contents or support for the proposals. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organisation's receipt of the correspondence should not be interpreted as taking a position on the gang leader's request.

What the gang is asking for

In its 6 November statement, 400 Mawozo called on security forces to suspend operations in certain areas while negotiations were being considered, saying a temporary pause could create conditions for de-escalation and civilian protection. It also announced plans to take part in a peaceful demonstration later in November as part of its proposed national dialogue process.

A representative speaking on the gang's behalf told the AP that disarmament would be a process rather than an immediate step, and described an end to what the group calls international interference as one of its objectives. The United Nations and human rights groups have accused 400 Mawozo of rape, killing and kidnapping, accusations the group denies.

Government keeps up the pressure

The gang's demands have not been accepted by the Haitian government, and no formal peace negotiations have been announced. Haitian authorities have continued military and police operations despite the appeal. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé reaffirmed the government's determination to dismantle armed groups after the reported death of Mathias Saintil, leader of the Nan Boston gang in Cité Soleil, following injuries sustained in a drone strike on 5 November.

The outreach comes as El Salvador has deployed more than 2,000 military personnel to Haiti, after four Salvadoran aviation technicians disappeared during an attack on 18 October. The United Nations has clarified that most of the additional Salvadoran personnel are operating outside the framework of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force. The UN reported that more than 5,700 people had been killed or injured in Haiti between January and mid-September 2026, while nearly 1.5 million people had been displaced by violence and insecurity. The Associated Press first reported the gang's approach on 6 November, and Journos News set out the UN's response and the Salvadoran deployment.