UN: Gangs Control 90% of Haiti's Capital

The United Nations has confirmed that violent gangs now control around 90% of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, as government authority deteriorates and the humanitarian crisis deepens across the country.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the gangs are rapidly expanding their presence beyond the capital, reaching previously safe areas in the south and east of the country.

The rise in gang-related incidents has destabilized regions that had remained relatively peaceful, including major trade routes and key border crossings such as Belladère and Malpasse.

The erosion of state authority is accelerating, with criminal organizations establishing parallel structures to fill the void left by weakened public institutions.

These gangs are now controlling vital supply chains, which has led to surging prices for essential goods such as cooking fuel and rice, creating additional strain on vulnerable communities.

The UN warned that Port-au-Prince is effectively under siege, with the situation pushing the capital to the brink of total collapse. The lack of a coordinated international response is contributing to the deteriorating security landscape and increasing the risk of complete state failure in the capital.

Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, Haiti has been without an elected head of state. Gangs, which previously dominated large sections of the capital, have strengthened their hold, exploited the power vacuum and undermining national stability.

To support Haiti’s overwhelmed security forces, a UN-backed multinational mission led by Kenyan police arrived in the country last year. However, the mission remains under-resourced, with only 405 officers deployed out of the 2,500 initially planned. The shortage of personnel and equipment has hindered efforts to restore order.

In February, the UN Secretary-General proposed a support package that included drones, fuel, ground and air transport, and non-lethal equipment. This initiative, aimed at enhancing the mission’s capabilities, is still awaiting approval by the UN Security Council.

As gang violence continues to surge and state structures disintegrate, the United Nations has renewed calls for urgent international support to prevent a full-scale collapse of governance in Haiti.