Haiti finds itself in a precarious situation as criminal gangs tighten their grip on the capital, Port-au-Prince, with senior United Nations officials sounding the alarm over the escalating violence.
The Caribbean nation teeters on the edge of chaos, as gangs now exert "near-total control" over the city, according to warnings issued on Wednesday.
Ghada Fathy Waly, the executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, informed the U.N. Security Council that these gangs have expanded their influence to encompass approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince. Waly highlighted the troubling trend of gangs infiltrating previously peaceful regions.
"Southern Haiti, which until recently was insulated from the violence, has seen a sharp increase in gang-related incidents," she stated. Furthermore, in the eastern part of the country, criminal groups are exploiting critical land routes, such as Belladere and Malpasse, where attacks on police and customs officials have been reported.
As reported by Fox News, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca also addressed the council, emphasizing the dire situation. He described the "ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince" as a significant threat, warning that the capital's collapse could become a reality without decisive international intervention. "Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario," Jenca cautioned.
The assassination of President Jovenel Mose in July 2021 marked a turning point, as gangs have since expanded their control from 85% to 90% of the capital. Haiti has been without a president since Mose's assassination, leaving a power vacuum that gangs have exploited. A recent U.N. report covering the period from last October to February underscores how political instability and a disorganized security response have allowed gangs to thrive. The report notes that competing political ambitions and corruption allegations within transitional governing bodies have further impeded effective action.
The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Haiti in September 2024, cautioning Americans against visiting due to the risks of kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited healthcare. In a move to address the growing threat, the Trump administration in May designated two of Haitis most notorious gang networks, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists.
As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and restore order. The unchecked rise of gang power not only threatens the stability of the nation but also poses a significant challenge to regional security.
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