Haiti is currently facing a dire security crisis, with criminal gangs exerting “near-total control” over the capital, Port-au-Prince. Senior officials from the United Nations (U.N.) expressed grave concerns during a Security Council meeting, revealing that an estimated 90% of the capital is now under the sway of these gangs. Ghada Fathy Waly, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, highlighted the troubling expansion of gang activities into previously peaceful regions, particularly in southern Haiti. Incidents of gang violence are increasingly cropping up in areas that had been insulated from such turmoil, signaling a troubling shift in the landscape of criminal activity.
The current situation is exacerbated by the ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince, which makes it increasingly difficult for state authorities to maintain order. U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca warned that without immediate international intervention, a complete collapse of government presence in the capital is a tangible risk. This worrisome landscape has emerged in the aftermath of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, which created a power vacuum that gangs have exploited. Prior to this, they controlled approximately 85% of the capital, and political instability has allowed them to entrench their positions even further.
A recent U.N. report covering the period from October to February underscores how political strife and disorganized security responses have empowered these criminal groups. The transitional government’s inability to manage competing political ambitions and rampant corruption has rendered it ineffective in combating gang violence. The report indicates that while gangs expand their territorial control, they are also creating new revenue streams and leveraging bargaining power—elements that play into a larger narrative of destabilization driven by individuals with their own political agendas.
The United States has acknowledged the escalating chaos by issuing a travel advisory for Haiti, warning citizens against visiting due to the high likelihood of kidnapping, rampant crime, civil unrest, and limited healthcare facilities. The advisory underscores the severity of the situation as everyday life in Haiti deteriorates under the weight of gang violence. Furthermore, the U.S. government has taken significant action by designating two powerful gang networks—Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif—as foreign terrorist organizations, highlighting the urgent need for a coordinated international response.
The presence of these gangs is not merely an isolated issue but is indicative of larger systemic problems within Haiti. The absence of a functioning government has led to a security vacuum that these criminal organizations have filled, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability. As each gang seeks to exert its influence, law enforcement and civil institutions find themselves increasingly unable to respond effectively, resulting in a humanitarian crisis that affects millions.
In conclusion, Haiti stands on the precipice of further turmoil unless immediate action is taken to address the rampant gang violence. The international community faces a pressing challenge to provide assistance as the fragile state grapples with the consequences of political instability and ineffective governance. The ongoing situation serves as a stark reminder of the broader implications of unresolved political crises, where criminal organizations fill the void left by failing states, leading to ongoing cycles of violence and insecurity. The need for diplomatic intervention, economic support, and comprehensive strategies is more urgent than ever.
