Gang Control in Haiti Rises as Other Countries Respond

Haitians protest against gang violence (Photo: Odelyn Joseph)

Haiti is currently under a state of emergency as a result of its rampant gang violence—thousands are internally displaced, and millions are facing malnutrition. The violence is exacerbated by the damage of hurricanes and floods that have left millions without homes, causing a dramatic drop in GDP. Gang violence has seeped into all areas of the country, but most notably, the capital of Port-au-Prince. Despite its proximity to the United States, many Americans remain unaware of the humanitarian crisis in Haiti. 

Haiti’s last Presidential election occurred in 2016, resulting in Jovenel Moise’s victory. In 2021, Moise was assassinated by Colombian mercenaries hired by the Haitian Police Chief and a Haitian doctor. The motive behind the assassination was to install an aspiring Haitian politician named Sanon as the president. The Colombian mercenaries were former soldiers in the Colombian army and were working for a private security firm called CTU, based in Miami. After Moise’s death, his Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, gained control of the country until Haitian gangs blocked his entry back into Haiti after attending a summit in Guyana. Although a transitional presidential council was created to govern, gangs run all aspects of the nation including the justice system, having taken control of Haiti's largest courthouse and the Justicial Palace in 2022 and maintained control since. However, some progress has been made, for the Haitian government has made a provisional electoral council to organize future elections in 2026. 

The widespread availability of weapons contributes to the growing problem of children being armed and recruited into gang activities. It is believed that around 200 gangs are operating in Haiti, with the two major gangs being G9 and G-Pep. Local gangs amass power and members by exploiting parental neglect and pervasive poverty by recruiting young Haitians under the guise of offering protection. The members are given automatic weapons and paid weekly salaries.

Haitian gangs are involved in all aspects of daily life, including politics. When Haiti held presidential elections, candidates would look to gangs to enact terror in neighborhoods and coerce votes. The local police forces are both underfunded and undertrained to successfully eradicate gang activity. The corruption of Haitian police forces is evident in the internal gang Fantom 49. Originally organized to protest the wages of the Haitian National Police, the group has since been involved in arson and classified as a terrorist organization. 

Kenyan Soldiers at their base in Port-Au-Prince (Photo: AP News / Odelyn Joseph)

The United Nations has been attempting to aid Haiti with peacekeeping forces, achieving moderate success. As seen with the peacekeeping mission Minustah, which deployed over 9000 troops to areas all across the country. Minustah dampened the presence of a multitude of gangs throughout Haiti and enforced the natural rights of Haitian citizens. However, after the mission's departure, new gangs have emerged, prompting a resurgence of the issue. Most recently, the UN Security Council voted to mandate the assistance of Kenyan and Jamaican-led task forces in Haiti. Although the mission continues to be underfunded, resolutions have been added to ensure cooperation with increased voluntary assistance through nations like the US and Ecuador. 

As a result of the continued uncontrolled violence and widespread poverty, a large number of Haitians have migrated to neighboring countries such as the United States, Cuba, and most notably the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has enforced a plan to deport up to 10,000 Haitians a week and to increase border surveillance in response. In 2023, the Dominican Republic sent 200,000 people back into Haiti.