Over the past week, gang-related violence in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has claimed the lives of at least 150 people, according to the United Nations. The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that more than half of the fatalities resulted from clashes between gang members and police forces.
In addition to the deaths, at least 92 people were wounded, and approximately 20,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes due to the violence. The situation has escalated to the point where the capital’s estimated four million residents are now largely confined, as gangs control all major routes into and out of the city.
Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned that the rise in violence signals a potential worsening of the crisis in Haiti, emphasizing that the gang violence must be stopped to prevent the country from sinking further into chaos.
Haiti’s security situation has been deteriorating for years due to the growing power of armed groups, many of which have political and business connections. The violence reached new heights after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, creating a power vacuum. This year, gangs have attacked state institutions, deepening the political instability and prompting the resignation of the prime minister and the formation of a transitional government.
In response to the escalating violence, the international community has authorized a multinational police mission, backed by the UN, to assist in restoring order.
