Haiti has struggled with political instability and gang violence for years – however, in the last year, this crisis has only gotten worse. Last year, it was reported that more than five thousand people were killed as a result of gang violence, and the numbers only seem to be increasing.
There has been an increasing struggle for power in Haiti in recent months. A supposed coalition of gangs has taken control of a vast majority of the country’s capital – Port-au-Prince. These gangs are led by former police officer Jimmy Cheizier, who is widely known as Barbecue.
Cheizier has claimed to unite the gangs in the capital, but it is unclear how true this is and if the allegiance will last. Chizier’s demands are described as “vague”, but he has been incredibly outspoken against former prime minister Ariel Henry, calling for his resignation since he was sworn in.
“A supposed coalition of gangs has taken control of a vast majority of the country’s capital”
The UN secretary-general, Antonino Guterres, has since called for immediate and strategic assistance in Haiti to combat gang violence. He says that with support, steps can be taken to restore peace in the country, but this idea has since come into question. Between more violence towards law enforcement and the impact of USAID cuts in the Trump administration, the search for peace appears to be moving further out of view.
Most recently, a Kenyan police officer has been killed during a confrontation with gang members. The 26-year-old Samuel Kitwai was a member of a Kenyan-led multinational security support mission (MSS) sent to Haiti to help restore order to the country. A spokesperson for the MSS has said they will “pursue these gangs to the last man standing.” However, the MSS currently remain outgunned and outmanned.
The MSS’ future has been questioned as Trump’s administration ordered a freeze on foreign aid programmes and cut USAID by 90%. However, the US secretary of state later approved US funds destined for the MSS. Yet, it is not clear how secure this funding will be in months to come.
“A spokesperson for the MSS has said they will “pursue these gangs to the last man standing.””
The change in US immigration policies has also left uncertainty within the matter. Since 2023, over half a million people have been granted humanitarian parole into the US, with the majority coming from Haiti. With new changes to immigration law, it immediately questions if the US will continue to welcome asylum seekers regardless of the gang situation in Haiti.
The rule of gangs in Haiti has affected the residents the most. The gang’s influence has seen mass kidnappings and violent assaults. It is also estimated that more than a million people have fled from their homes.
While there seems to be no near end to the violence, the MSS is continuing to bring in police officers to work within the country to try and restore peace.
