Haiti's New Police Chief Vows to Tackle Rampant Gang Violence

In a move to address the surging gang violence in Haiti, the country's transitional government has appointed Vladimir Paraison, the former national palace security chief, as the new national police chief. Paraison, known for his reputation as a seasoned and determined professional, took up the position on Friday, replacing Rameau Normil, whose tenure was marked by tensions with the prime minister.

Paraison's appointment comes as Haiti grapples with a severe security crisis, with most of the capital Port-au-Prince controlled by armed gangs that have grouped behind an alliance designated as a terrorist organization by Washington. These gangs have been responsible for mass killings, rapes, kidnappings, and extortion, displacing over 1.3 million Haitians in the first half of 2025 alone.

The country's cash-strapped national police and fledgling army have struggled to hold back the gang's advances, even with limited support from a U.N.-backed force. Paraison, who was wounded in the leg while fighting the armed gangs, vowed that "we the police will not sleep" and promised to provide security across every corner of the country.

The transitional government's council president, Laurent Saint-Cyr, emphasized that the change in police leadership was not a sanction but a necessary step to "give new breath to the Haitian National Police" and address the urgent need for security in the country.