U.S. Representative Brian Mast, R-Fla., described harrowing accounts of gang-driven violence and control in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, following a recent congressional delegation trip. Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that the city, ravaged by gang rule since the 2021 assassination of its president, presented sights of streets blocked by debris and police operating in "full armor."
"Some of these areas are like Afghanistan, and it is probably the poorest place I’ve ever been through in my life," Mast told Fox News Digital, characterizing the pervasive gang obstacles that hinder movement for law enforcement and military units. The delegation, which included bipartisan members of Congress, marked the first congressional visit to Haiti in a decade.
Mast noted that progress is being made by the Haitian prime minister's administration, with efforts to reclaim territory across the capital. He also mentioned the involvement of an international coalition and a U.S. paramilitary group led by Erik Prince.
However, the realities of gang brutality remain stark. Mast recounted a video he was shown depicting the torture of a heavy machinery operator assisting police in clearing street blockades. According to Mast, the man was kidnapped along with his family and ultimately killed after being subjected to extreme violence, including having his ears cut off and fed to him, and being dismembered with machetes.
Mast also shared an incident involving a 6-year-old American citizen girl who was allegedly kidnapped by a local gang. While details were limited out of respect for privacy, Mast indicated that health issues suggested the child may have been sexually assaulted. The child was reportedly held for at least 46 days before her release, which appeared to be secured through an agreement on ransom money.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed awareness of the reported kidnapping but declined to provide further details, emphasizing the administration's commitment to American safety abroad.
Mast expressed skepticism about the extent of further U.S. assistance that could be provided to Haiti, attributing the country's current state in part to political figures who allegedly empowered gangs for their own gain and pillaged national resources.
The congressman also suggested that the return of Haitians who previously held Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the U.S. could potentially contribute to improving security. He proposed integrating able-bodied males into the police and military, forces he believes were weakened by the exodus of TPS holders following the 2010 earthquake. Mast argued that the departure of these individuals left the country's protective forces depleted, a factor that contributed to the rise of gang influence.