Kenscoff : Between 400 and 450 dead

According to Jean Massillon, Mayor of Kenskoff, armed bandits attempting to take control of the town have killed between 400 and 450 people, while causing extensive material damage from January 2025 to date.

Cap-Haitien "Te Deum" at Cap-Haitien Cathedral

On Friday, October 17, 2025, Cap-Haïtien Cathedral hosted a solemn Te Deum on the occasion of the 219th anniversary of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, hero of independence and founder of the Haitian nation. This religious ceremony paid tribute to the man who, through his courage and vision, brought freedom to the Haitian people. The prayers and songs, carried by strong emotion, recalled the ideals of justice, sovereignty, and national unity that Dessalines defended.

Abandonment of the Referendum, a decision of the CEP

The Government's decision to abandon the proposed constitutional referendum follows a technical opinion from the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), according to its President, Jacques Desrosiers. Unspent funds will be reallocated to the organization of the next elections.

$110 Million from the IDB for Agriculture and Infrastructure

Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, had an excellent meeting with Alfred Metellus, the Minister of Economy and Finance, to reaffirm the IDB's commitment to Haiti, the 2025 Agenda and the 2026 Plan, which includes, among other things, a $110 million investment program aimed at boosting agricultural productivity ($40 million), modernizing transportation infrastructure, facilitating trade and strengthening economic ties between the South and the rest of the country ($70 million), and strengthening technical cooperation between Haiti and the IDB.

Strategic Meeting with the High Command

Following the official ceremony marking the 219th anniversary of the death of General Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Laurent Saint Cyr, the President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transitional Council, the Presidential Advisors, and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, held a strategic meeting with the PNH high command, the FAd'H general staff, and some members of the Gang Repression Force (FRG). Discussions focused on the security situation, coordination between Haitian law enforcement and international support forces, and action plans to protect the population and enable the electoral process to progress, allowing the country to regain stability.

219th Dessalines : Messages

Embassy of France :

"On this October 17th commemorating the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the French Embassy expresses its solidarity with the Haitian people and pays tribute to the memory of the founding father of the Haitian nation. On this occasion, it reiterates its commitment to supporting Haitian institutions in their efforts to restore peace and security in the country.

Embassy of the United States :

"Today, we join the Haitian people in paying tribute to Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a symbol of freedom, courage, and independence. The Embassy will resume its emergency operations starting Monday."

HL/ HaitiLibre