Police in Haiti have regained control of a critical telecommunications hub in Kenscoff after it was seized by heavily armed gangs last week. The recovery of the Téléco site, which briefly disrupted internet connections and air traffic, is being seen as a rare success for Haitian authorities and the UN-backed multinational mission led by Kenyan forces.

The operation began before dawn on Monday and lasted about two hours, according to police spokesperson Michel-Ange Louis Jeune. Officers discovered automatic weapons with scratched-off serial numbers and more than 1,000 bullets during the raid. Jeune praised the new police chief, André Jonas Vladimir Paraison, saying the action sent a strong signal of determination.

Key Points from the Operation

• The Téléco site was taken over last week by the Viv Ansanm gang federation.

• Gang members filmed themselves disabling servers and threatening to destroy communications.

• Police seized weapons and ammunition during the raid but did not disclose casualties.

• The takeover had caused only minor disruption thanks to emergency measures.

• Kenyan commander Godfrey Otunge urged patience, promising more operations in gang-controlled areas.

The attack had been claimed by Viv Ansanm, a coalition the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The group has been responsible for multiple large-scale assaults, including last year’s closure of Haiti’s main airport and a mass prison break that freed nearly 4,000 inmates.

The recovery of Téléco comes amid broader concerns about the growing power of gangs, which are estimated to control around 90 percent of Port-au-Prince. Kenscoff, once considered relatively secure, has faced repeated attacks this year, including a recent kidnapping from a local orphanage that left eight people missing.

Observers also note shifting alliances between gang leaders. A recent video showed Jimmy Chérizier, known as “Barbecue,” in conversation with Kempes Sanon, a rival leader and former police officer. Analysts say the new alignment raises questions about the future balance of power in Haiti’s gang landscape.

While the police operation marks a much-needed victory, the situation in Port-au-Prince remains fragile. Haitian authorities say further raids are planned as they attempt to push gangs out of key areas and restore public confidence.