Three individuals sustained gunshot wounds in a shooting incident at New York's Times Square.
Haiti Declares State of Emergency to Combat Gang Violence
In August 2025, Haiti's government declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating gang violence that has gripped the country, particularly in the central region. The three-month emergency aims to combat insecurity, regain control over gang-dominated territories, and address the growing agricultural and food crisis.
The violence has taken a devastating toll on Haiti's population. From April to June 2025 alone, at least 1,520 people have been killed and over 600 injured nationwide, with the central departments bearing the brunt of the impact. The UN human rights reported more than 1,000 killings, 200 injuries, and 620 kidnappings in Artibonite and nearby areas between October 2024 and June 2025.
The violence has also led to the displacement of over 239,000 people in the central region alone and about 1.3 million people across the country in recent years.
To tackle the crisis, the government appointed André Jonas Vladimir Paraison as the new head of the Haitian National Police (PNH), tasked with intensifying security operations to liberate gang-controlled zones. The police are also working alongside Kenyan police officers leading a U.N.-backed multinational mission deployed to assist in quelling gang violence.
Amid continuing violence, Laurent Saint-Cyr assumed the transitional presidency and vowed a "war" on armed gangs, urging international military support to stabilize the country ahead of the planned general elections by February 2026. However, the powerful gang federation Viv Ansanm, which includes G-9 and G-Pèp among its ranks, continues to orchestrate violent attacks and intimidations, including direct threats against police leadership.
International involvement in Haiti's security efforts is evident, with a private security firm founded by Blackwater's creator deploying nearly 200 personnel to support anti-gang operations.
Despite these challenges, the state of emergency reflects Haiti's urgent attempt to curb pervasive gang violence, re-establish security, and alleviate a deepening humanitarian crisis with significant displacement and food insecurity, even as elections loom and political stability remains fragile.
Meanwhile, hundreds of fans are participating in a Swifties' gathering in Vienna, one year after the cancellation of Taylor Swift's concerts due to fears of an attack. This gathering is aimed at sending a message against hate and terror, but it is not related to the ongoing state of emergency in Haiti or the debate about the role of the police in combating gang violence. A separate topic of debate is Palantir, a technology company, but this information does not provide specific details about the debate or the role of Palantir in the debate.
The state of emergency declared by Haiti's government encompasses not only combating gang violence but also addressing the growing insecurity and controlling gang-dominated territories, as reported in general news. The escalating violence has led to a notable increase in crime and justice issues, including killings, injuries, and kidnappings, which are major concerns within the crime-and-justice category.
