Haitian Gangs Escalate Violence and Expand Attacks Beyond the Capital, Says Top UN Official
Gangs in Haiti have intensified their violence and extended their operations outside the capital city, targeting small boats and even kidnapping personnel from cargo shipping companies, according to the top United Nations official in the country. Special representative Maria Isabel Salvador informed the UN Security Council that the situation has significantly deteriorated in the past three months, with over 700,000 individuals displaced within the country and facing significant challenges in the political process.
Salvador highlighted that gang activities are escalating across Haiti, instilling terror and fear among the population, overwhelming the national security infrastructure, and exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis. Gangs are not only attacking small boats transporting Haitians from Port-au-Prince to other regions but are also targeting personnel from international cargo freight companies, leading to service suspensions in Haiti.
The executive director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, emphasized the catastrophic impact on Haiti’s children, with over 360,000 displaced children and reports of grave rights violations, including killings, maimings, and increased incidents of sexual violence against women and children. She revealed that armed groups are recruiting children, with estimates indicating that children make up a significant portion of gang members, being coerced into various roles within the operations.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, the influence of gangs in Haiti has escalated, with estimates suggesting they control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince. The surge in violence has prompted civilian vigilante groups to rise against the gangs. The UN Security Council recently extended the mandate of the multinational force under Kenya’s leadership to assist the Haitian national police in addressing gang violence, although deployment remains below capacity due to under-resourcing challenges.
On the political front, the establishment of a transitional presidential council in response to corruption allegations against previous members aims to steer Haiti towards stability and facilitate general elections by February 2026. However, tensions between the council and the government, coupled with food shortages, hindered aid delivery, and escalating violence, are eroding public trust in the political process.
The situation in Haiti underscores the urgent need for international support to address the escalating violence, protect vulnerable populations, and facilitate political stability to prevent further deterioration in the country’s conditions.
**Summary:**
The escalating violence and expansion of gang activities beyond Haiti’s capital present a grave humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands displaced and vulnerable populations, particularly children, facing severe rights violations. International efforts are crucial to address the root causes of the conflict, support the political transition, and ensure the safety and well-being of the Haitian people.