A worrying new UN report has warned Haiti’s violent criminal gangs have nearly taken over the capital and are pushing the country ‘closer to the brink’
Criminal gangsters in Haiti have nearly over-run the capital as their violence spreads to previously peaceful areas, pushing the Caribbean nation “closer to the brink”.
Notorious gang leader “Barbecue” has become one of the most powerful people in Haiti and criminals like him have been able to take over key areas in recent months. Armed gangs have been slowly inflicting terror on huge parts of Haiti, especially the capital Port-au-Prince where around 90% is controlled by violent criminals. The United Nations has now warned action has to be taken or the “total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario”.
Executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Ghada Fathy Waly, warned the organisation’s Security Council that these criminal groups were expanding their terror into previously peaceful parts of the island. She said: “Southern Haiti, which until recently was insulated from the violence, has seen a sharp increase in gang-related incidents.
“And in the east, criminal groups are exploiting land routes, including key crossings like Belladere and Malpasse, where attacks against police and customs officials have been reported.”
The UN Assistant Secretary-General, Miroslav Jenca, warned increased gang violence and control could send Haiti “closer to the brink”. Jenca said: “Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario.”
Gangs in Haiti increased their worrying presence and influence after President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021. Feared gang boss Jimmy Chérizier, known as Barbecue, last year proclaimed that he led the country.
Barbecue runs a gang alliance called Viv Ansanm, which controls the capital’s largest slums. The former police man turned criminal ringleader has previously been condemned by the US and U.N., and was even hit by UN sanctions in 2022, but has continued to expand his influence over Haiti.
One of his deciding moves was to convince Haiti’s gangs to stop fighting each other and start fighting the government instead, forming a criminal alliance across the island nation.
The new UN revealed these gangs have fed off struggling traditional forms of power on the island, political instability and allegations of corruption against potential new leaders to help themselves grow.
Experts said in the report: “While the expansion of territorial control brings gangs additional sources of revenue and bargaining power these attacks are also backed by individuals trying to destabilize the political transition for their own political goals.”
The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has advised against all travel to Haiti “due to the volatile security situation”. The FCDO adds there are no British consular offices in the country.