400 Mawozo gang says it contacted Haiti's disarmament commission as police kill gang leader Mathias

One of Haiti's most powerful gangs, 400 Mawozo, said it has reached out to the government agency responsible for dismantling armed groups, in what it called a push for "peace, stability and national reconciliation." The gang laid out its position in a three-page statement. It stressed that "dialogue is not a capitulation," but rather an "act of patriotic responsibility to preserve human lives."

The United Nations and human rights groups have accused 400 Mawozo of rape, killings and kidnappings. The gang has denied the accusations.

What the commission says

Haiti's National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration said an individual contacted it on behalf of the armed group. It added that it works alongside the prime minister's office. "For any dialogue with armed groups, we must follow the roadmap proposed by the government," the commission said.

What the gang is asking for

The gang, which calls itself a rebel group, said it plans to take part in a peaceful demonstration later this month "in order to lay the groundwork for a national dialogue and peace negotiation process." It also said that "Haiti's future cannot be built solely on confrontations and military operations."

It said it would be "beneficial" if all "relevant military forces" suspended operations targeting certain areas until a dialogue on peace and stability is effectively opened. A spokesperson for the gang, who spoke anonymously, said it is willing to engage in peace negotiations and that disarmament is a process. Asked what the gang wants in return, the spokesperson said peace and an end to what they called "international interference."

On Nov. 1, gang leader Wilson Joseph, known as Lanmò Sanjou, said he had written to the U.N. secretary-general asking for a delegation to be sent to Haiti for dialogue and mediation. He said he feared the presence of Salvadoran troops could further escalate violence.

Home of the gang leader

In its letter, the gang said it was worried about social media posts targeting Joseph's home, particularly comments attributed to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. On Friday, Bukele replied to a post in which he was tagged, which allegedly showed the house. "Where is that house? Give us the exact address, and we'll destroy it," he wrote on X.

The gang described the home as "a symbol of peace within the framework of its de-escalation process." It called on all parties to respect international obligations on protecting civilians and civilian property, citing articles of the Geneva Conventions and the Charter of the United Nations. El Salvador's government declined to comment on Friday night.

Fighting continues

Haiti's National Police said the leader of the Boston gang, known as Mathias, was among those killed in a joint operation with other law enforcement forces. Mathias operated out of Cité Soleil, in Port-au-Prince. Police said several gang members were injured or killed, and urged Haitians to hand in their "illegal weapons" so that "they can change their lives."

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced late Friday on X that a gang leader had been killed, without naming him. "The gangs won't be getting any sleep!" he wrote.

The gang's announcement comes weeks after El Salvador deployed more than 2,000 troops to Haiti, following the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians who were attacked on Oct. 18 deep in gang territory. The United Nations has said most Salvadoran personnel in Haiti operate outside the framework of the U.N.-backed gang suppression force.