Haitian Gang 400 Mawozo Seeks Peace Dialogue with Disarmament Commission Amid Ongoing Violence

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — One of Haiti’s most influential gangs announced Friday that it has contacted a government body tasked with dismantling armed groups, seeking “peace, stability, and national reconciliation.”

The 400 Mawozo gang issued a three-page statement to The Associated Press, emphasizing that “dialogue is not a surrender,” but rather an “act of patriotic responsibility to protect human lives.”

The United Nations and human rights organizations have accused 400 Mawozo of rape, murder, and kidnapping—claims the gang denies. On November 1, gang leader Wilson Joseph told the AP that he had written to the U.N. secretary-general requesting a delegation for dialogue and mediation, citing concerns that Salvadoran troop deployments could further inflame violence.

The gang, which describes itself as a rebel movement, said it plans to take part in a peaceful demonstration later this month “to lay the groundwork for a national dialogue and peace negotiation process.”

“Haiti’s future cannot be built solely on confrontation and military operations,” the group said.

Haiti’s National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration told the AP that an intermediary had contacted them on behalf of the armed group, though the commission coordinates with the prime minister’s office. “Any dialogue with armed groups must follow the government’s proposed roadmap,” the commission stated.

The statement emerged as Haitian police and foreign forces continued battling gangs. On X late Friday, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced that one gang leader had been killed, without naming him. A local human rights group identified the deceased as Mathias, leader of the Nan Boston gang, one of the smaller groups operating in Cité Soleil, a gang-controlled neighborhood in Port-au-Prince.

“The gangs won’t be getting any sleep!” the prime minister wrote on X.

The Associated Press contacted a spokesperson for 400 Mawozo to ask whether the gang is prepared to disarm.

The individual, who requested anonymity to speak freely on the matter, said the gang is open to peace negotiations and described disarmament as a process.

When asked what 400 Mawozo seeks in return, the person said peace and an end to what they termed “international interference.”

The announcement comes weeks after El Salvador deployed more than 2,000 troops to Haiti following the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians attacked on October 18 in gang-controlled territory.

The United Nations has stated that most Salvadoran personnel in Haiti are operating outside the U.N.-backed gang suppression force, which coordinates with Haitian police and military forces as well as Vectus Global, a private security firm founded by former U.S. Navy SEAL and Blackwater founder Erik Prince.

The gang said it would be “beneficial” if all “relevant military forces” suspended operations in targeted areas pending the “effective opening of a dialogue on peace and stability.”

“This period should provide an opportunity for de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and the pursuit of a lasting political solution,” the group wrote.

In its letter, 400 Mawozo expressed concern over social media posts “targeting” the home of Joseph, also known as Lanmò Sanjou, particularly comments attributed to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

On Friday, Bukele responded to a social media post tagging him and allegedly showing Joseph’s home. “Where is that house? Give us the exact address, and we’ll destroy it,” Bukele wrote on X.

In its letter, the gang described Joseph’s residence as “a symbol of peace within the framework of its de-escalation process” and urged “all parties to respect international obligations concerning the protection of civilians and civilian property.”

The letter cited provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the Charter of the United Nations.

El Salvador’s government declined to comment when contacted by the AP on Friday night.

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