The Haitian government has declared a state of emergency in the West, Artibonite and Centre departments for three months, from September 18 to December 18, 2026, Le Nouvelliste reported on October 19. The government cited the criminal actions of armed gangs.

It is the third state of emergency declared in 13 months, according to the newspaper.

Under past states of emergency, the army has been allowed to support the police, curfews have been possible and security forces have had broader powers to restrict movement and carry out searches, the Canadian government's travel advice notes.

At a press briefing on Monday, October 19, Secretary of State for Communication Lucien Jura called on the population to remain calm. He said the government is aware that some measures may seem contrary to the public interest.

Jura also responded to the public-sector strike. He said civil servants will receive their 14th-month bonus with only the usual 10% tax and that there will be no 15% deduction from salaries. Under the new tax code that took effect on October 1, he said, the 15% levy applies to bonuses and allowances paid to some officials.

The emergency covers the departments hit hardest by gang violence. On Sunday, four Salvadoran soldiers with the Gang Suppression Force went missing after an ambush in Croix-des-Bouquets, and local sources reported an attack on the center of Petite-Rivière-de-l'Artibonite early Monday.