Haiti announces a state of emergency due to escalating violence by gangs
In the heart of the Caribbean, Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, is currently grappling with a severe crisis. The ongoing gang violence in Port-au-Prince and other parts of the country has reached alarming proportions, with gangs controlling around 85-90% of the capital city.
This escalation of violence has resulted in more than 1,500 deaths in just three months of 2025. The situation has led to widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, gang rapes (accounting for 85% of sexual violence cases), kidnappings, child exploitation, and a breakdown of basic services.
The authority of the Haitian government has largely collapsed in the capital, and efforts to combat the gangs have been ineffective. The United Nations mission (BINUH) and other international actors have called for strengthened support, such as the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission, enhanced police vetting, establishment of specialized judicial units, and tackling arms trafficking, while respecting human rights in security operations. However, the response so far has failed to contain the crisis effectively.
The prolonged gang violence and weak state response have profoundly destabilized Haiti’s political and economic situation since 2016. Following political upheavals, including the 2021 presidential assassination, governance has deteriorated, crippling state institutions and deepening insecurity. Economically, violence and insecurity have displaced over a million people, disrupted markets and agriculture, and caused widespread food insecurity affecting over half the population. Education and essential services have also been severely affected, with children experiencing a 490% increase in violence exposure between 2023 and 2024.
In an attempt to address this crisis, the transitional government, consisting of a nine-member council and a prime minister, has declared a three-month state of emergency in the central regions of Ouest, Artibonite, and Centre, which include the capital Port-au-Prince. The measure is intended to enable a comprehensive mobilization of the state's resources to restore security and peace. The current rotating president of the transitional presidential council is Laurent Saint-Cyr, and a new chief of the National Police has been appointed.
The Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, has stated that the insecurity is having a negative impact on both the lives of citizens and the various economic sectors of the country. The main goal of the transitional government is to stabilize the country and pave the way for democratic elections in November.
The ongoing violence and weak governance have made Haiti one of the world’s most fragile and insecure countries. The transitional government faces a daunting task as it seeks to restore peace, stability, and democracy to the troubled nation.
References:
- Human Rights Watch (2025). Haiti: Escalating Violence, State Abandonment, and Abuses by Armed Groups.
- United Nations (2025). Haiti: Urgent Need for Action to Address Escalating Violence and Human Rights Abuses.
- AFP (2025). Kenya Forces Struggle to Contain Haiti's Gang Violence.
- World Food Programme (2025). Haiti: Violence and Insecurity Deepen Humanitarian Crisis.
- UNICEF (2025). Haiti: Escalating Violence Puts Children at Risk.
- The transitional government in Haiti, headed by Laurent Saint-Cyr, is currently focused on economic and social policy, as the ongoing violence has crippled state institutions, disrupted markets, and caused widespread food insecurity.
- The escalating political and economic crisis in Haiti has highlighted the need for a strong national policy, particularly in the areas of safety, human rights, and democratic governance, as the country struggles to regain stability and security.
