The United Nations has raised alarms over escalating gang violence in Haiti, as it poses significant risks not only to national security but also to regional stability throughout the Caribbean. A recent report released by the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the UN Human Rights Office paints a grim picture of the violence that has been spreading beyond Port-au-Prince.
Between October 2024 and June 2025, an alarming tally of 1,018 people were killed, 213 injured, and 620 abducted in the Artibonite and Centre departments, along with towns like Ganthier and Fonds Parisien. Nationwide, the death toll during this period was a staggering 4,864. Ulrika Richardson, the ad interim Head of BINUH and UN Resident Coordinator, emphasized the lack of state presence in critical regions, urging the international community to intensify support for Haitian authorities responsible for citizen protection.
Mass killings are becoming an increasing concern. A massacre in October 2024 in Pont Sondé, where over 100 lost their lives, symbolizes the conflict’s ferocity involving armed gangs and self-proclaimed “self-defense” groups. This surge in violence has led to massive displacements, including in Mirebalais, where all 100,000 inhabitants have fled. Just weeks prior, Human Rights Watch urged the global community to address the escalating violence.
The current security response, involving the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support mission (MSS), has proven inadequate. Rising gang influence, particularly along critical routes leading to the Dominican Republic, raises concerns over transnational issues like arms and human trafficking. The MSS efforts face significant challenges from a lack of personnel, funding, and equipment, with the mission facing potential sustainability issues due to “political ambiguity” in donor countries, notably the United States.
The ongoing instability compelled the UN to urge the Haitian government to enhance its policing and judicial capacities while aligning with international human rights standards. Advocacy for full implementation of the arms embargo continues, along with calls for maintaining BINUH’s operational capacity and strengthening the MSS mission.
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