Haiti in Chaos: Gangs Tighten Grip on Port-au-Prince

Since the assassination of Haiti's president, Jovenel Moïse, on July 7, 2021, the country has witnessed escalating warfare between government forces and armed gangs, which now control approximately 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

According to the United Nations, more than 1.3 million people have been displaced amid surging gang violence, lawlessness, and impunity. The population—particularly women and girls—faces increased risks of exploitation and sexual violence.

Following a recent visit to the country, Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for the Americas at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), warned that Port-au-Prince is effectively paralyzed by gang control and isolated due to the suspension of international commercial flights. Gangs have “strengthened their foothold,” now impacting all communes of the capital and surrounding areas, “pushing the situation closer to the brink,” he said.

Ghada Fathy Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, told the UN Security Council that criminal gangs now exert “near-total control” over the capital, with an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince under their influence. Waly noted that gangs are expanding into previously peaceful regions.

“Southern Haiti, which until recently was insulated from the violence, has seen a sharp increase in gang-related incidents,” she said. “And in the east, criminal groups are exploiting land routes, including key crossings like Belladère and Malpasse, where attacks against police and customs officials have been reported.”

A UN report covering the period from October through February stated that gangs have exploited political instability and Haiti's disorganized security response. The report also cited competing political ambitions and corruption within transitional governing bodies as factors hindering effective action.

In response, vigilante or self-defense groups have gained popular support among Haitians. While some are motivated by a desire to protect their communities, many operate outside legal frameworks and, in some cases, engage in extrajudicial actions or even collude with gangs.

The rise of these actors is fueling demand for firearms and military-grade weapons, according to Waly, who warned of the growing illicit arms market and the risk of legitimate weapons being diverted into criminal hands.