UN Chief Warns Gangs Threaten to Take Control of Haiti’s Capital

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has raised concerns over armed gangs in Haiti, warning that they are on the verge of seizing control of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The United Nations chief warned that without further international support for the struggling national police, gangs in Haiti might seize control of Port-au-Prince, resulting in a total collapse of government authority.

In a report released to align with Wednesday’s Security Council meeting concerning the worsening situation in the poorest country of the Western Hemisphere, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that “time is of the essence.”

He stated that any further delays in supplying additional officers to the multinational force tasked with curbing gang violence, or in providing extra assistance, “pose a risk of catastrophic collapse for national security institutions.”

“This could enable the gangs to dominate the entire metropolitan region, leading to a total collapse of state authority and making international efforts, including those aimed at supporting communities in need within the country, unsustainable,” Guterres stated.

He informed the Security Council, stating, “We must urgently take all necessary actions to prevent such an outcome.”

Kenya is at the forefront of a multinational police force, with 217 more officers arriving over the weekend. This increases its total deployment to over 600 personnel, which still falls short of the 1,000 officers promised by Kenya’s president. Alongside them, an additional group of 150 Guatemalan and an advance team comprising eight Salvadorean troops have also joined; however, overall numbers remain significantly below the targeted strength of 2,500 officers.

Since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, gang influence in Haiti has increased.

According to the United Nations, over 5,600 individuals were reported killed across Haiti last year. The U.N. Human Rights Office noted that this represents an increase of more than 20% compared to all of 2023.

Maria Isabel Salvador, the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, informed the Security Council that gang violence has displaced over 1 million Haitians from their homes. Many are now forced to live in crowded and unsanitary makeshift shelters after gunmen destroyed their residences.

She stated that the humanitarian crisis in Haiti has become “alarming,” with almost 2 million people experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity and 6,000 facing catastrophic conditions leading to starvation.

Haiti’s leaders have requested the replacement of the multinational force with a U.N. peacekeeping mission. This request has received backing from the permanent council of the Organization of American States, as well as support from numerous countries including the United States. The existing multinational force relies on funding through a trust fund that currently holds pledges totaling $101.1 million, whereas a U.N.-led effort would be financed by the broader U.N. peacekeeping budget.

Guterres is developing plans for the U.N.’s future involvement in Haiti.

Haiti’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean Baptiste, informed the council that a U.N. peacekeeping mission is essential. In agreement with Guterres, he stated that gang violence, massacres, and kidnappings represent “an existential threat” to the safety and security of Haitians—and endanger “the very survival of our state.”

Guterres expressed his shock at the extreme brutality and widespread violence perpetrated by the gangs, highlighting reports of sexual assaults such as group rape and child recruitment.

He stated that obstacles in the political process have created an environment where such atrocities can occur.

Guterres expressed concern that the transition roadmap initiated after Moise’s assassination “has been progressing at a worryingly slow pace.”

“The objective of reinstating democratic institutions by February 2026 is, quite simply, at risk,” stated the U.N. chief.