At least 26 gangs are actively operating in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding regions, contributing to alarming levels of violence. This expansion has forced approximately 1.4 million people to flee their homes, with thousands more losing their lives. A new report from the UN Human Rights Office, released in Geneva on Tuesday, details the severe impact of this growing gang influence on Haitians’ human rights. The violence resulted in over 5,500 deaths last year alone.
Gang Expansion Across Haiti
The report indicates that gangs have extended their operations beyond the capital, encroaching on its outskirts and pushing north into the Artibonite and Centre departments. These groups have managed to fortify strategic corridors and assert dominance over critical maritime and overland routes, which are vital for their financing and operational sustainability. Their reign of terror continues through killings, kidnappings, child trafficking, extortion at illegal checkpoints, and the ransacking of public and private properties. Individuals perceived as cooperating with police or defying gang authority are frequently targeted, with some victims reportedly executed and their bodies burned.
Disproportionate Force Allegations Against Security Forces
The violence is not solely attributed to gangs; Haitian security forces, private security contractors, and self-defence groups are also involved. The UN report identifies nearly 250 instances of “actual or attempted summary executions of suspected gang members or individuals believed to support gangs,” allegedly carried out by police using “unnecessary or disproportionate” force. Concerns have also been raised regarding security operations conducted by a private military company, reportedly hired by the Haitian Government, which has employed drone strikes and helicopter gunfire. The legality of these actions is under scrutiny, with the report suggesting that many of these operations could be classified as targeted killings without any apparent judicial investigation into their legality.
Furthermore, self-defence groups and mobs, armed with various weapons including high-calibre firearms, have engaged in “popular justice.” This has led to the lynching of individuals suspected of gang affiliation, sometimes with alleged encouragement or facilitation from police elements.
UN Support for Haiti’s Stabilization
The United Nations consistently emphasizes that restoring security is paramount for Haiti’s stabilization, though it is not sufficient on its own. Progress in governance, justice, accountability, and social services, particularly for youth, is crucial to ensure that any security gains are sustainable. Sustained international support is vital to break the cycle of violence and instability and to bolster Haitian-led efforts to re-establish security. The UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), established in 2025 with a mandate for 5,000 personnel, is expected to play a significant supporting role. In March, Daniela Kroslak was appointed as the head of the newly established United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH), which will provide logistical support to the GSF.
