International Support Essential to Prevent Complete Disorder in Haiti, Warns UN Representative
Hey there! Let's dive into the latest news from the United Nations. On Monday, a top UN official in Haiti raised the alarm to the Security Council about the escalating gang violence in the country.
María Isabel Salvador, the UN representative, warned that Haiti could be heading towards "a point of no return" due to the expanding control of armed gangs over various areas, including the capital, Port-Au-Prince. Salvador highlighted that the recent capture of the city of Mirebalais in central Haiti by gangs, which resulted in the release of over 500 prisoners, was part of a deliberate effort to establish dominance, dismantle institutions, and instill fear.
The UN special representative stressed that without increased funding and support for the Kenya-led multinational force assisting Haiti's police in combating gang violence, Haiti could face total chaos. She explained that the force has entered a critical phase, with gangs coordinating their attacks and targeting strategic installations and the political establishment.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse last year, gangs have grown in power and now control 85% of the capital. Haiti has been without a president since then. Despite the UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police arriving in Haiti last year to help local authorities quell gang violence, the mission remains understaffed and underfunded, with only about 40% of the originally envisioned 2,500 personnel.
Between July 2024 and February 2025, gang violence in Haiti resulted in at least 4,239 documented killings and 1,356 injuries. One notable incident was a massacre where 207 people were executed[1][2]. Armed gangs have been active, with recent incidents including storming towns and freeing inmates[2].
The UN secretary-general, António Guterres, has called for funding to support the Kenya-led mission from the UN budget. However, there are no signs yet that the Security Council plans to address this request. Without immediate, decisive, and concrete international assistance, the security situation in Haiti may continue to deteriorate.
It's crucial to remember that addressing gang violence in Haiti isn't just about security interventions. It also involves human rights advocacy, diplomatic pressure, humanitarian assistance, and long-term peacebuilding efforts. The international community must work together to protect the Haitian people and establish lasting peace for this nation.
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The UN Security Council was warned by a UN official in Haiti about the escalating gang violence in the country, with María Isabel Salvador stating that Haiti could be heading towards a point of no return. The general-news report highlighted that the capture of Mirebalais by gangs was part of a deliberate effort to establish dominance and instill fear. Without increased funding and support for the Kenya-led multinational force, the situation could lead to total chaos. In Seattle, officers are addressing crime-and-justice issues, but it's also important to remember that addressing gang violence in Haiti isn't just aboutsecurity interventions; it involves human rights advocacy, diplomatic pressure, humanitarian assistance, and long-term peacebuilding efforts. The international community must work together to protect the Haitian people and establish lasting peace for this nation. Meanwhile, millions of student loan borrowers are behind on payments, causing a growing crisis, while the federal '5 things' emails have faced challenges and revamps due to shifting administrative priorities.
