Gangs Expand Their Grip in Haiti, Police Resist

Armed gangs are increasing their hold on Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, warned the United Nations’ special coordinator for Haiti. Over the recent days, the gangs have taken control over new areas in the capital leading to roadblocks, gunfire, and heightened anxiety in the streets. The gripped areas have seen many residents fleeing as the gangs continue to expand their territory.

In 2023, the armed gangs controlled 80% of Port-au-Prince, according to the United Nations, and were responsible for numerous human rights violations such as murders, rapes, looting, and kidnappings for ransom. On Thursday, after a quiet morning, gunshots were heard again in the afternoon in the downtown area and the suburbs of Pétion-Ville.

In response to the unrest, Haiti’s national police announced the death of a gang leader, “Ti Grèg,” who had escaped from prison earlier in March. The gang leader, Ernst Julmé, was fatally wounded in a skirmish with police units near the capital. The start of the week was marked by confrontations in Pétion-Ville, a wealthy suburb of Port-au-Prince. Armed individuals attempted to take control of several parts of this area where 14 lifeless bodies were found on Monday.

The U.S. evacuated 90 of its citizens on Thursday as a result of the escalating violence. Haiti, already amidst a deep political crisis, has seen a resurgence of violence since the beginning of the month when several gangs joined forces to attack strategic areas of Port-au-Prince, claiming to want to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Negotiations are under way to form a transitional presidential council composed of representatives of Haitian political parties. At the moment, Haiti is without a president or a parliament after the assassination of their last president, Jovenel Moïse, in 2021. The country has not held an election since 2016 and amidst the on-going crisis, around 50% of Haiti’s population, about 5.5 million people, are in need of humanitarian aid. Due to the unrest, the delivery of aid is proving to be a challenge as Port-au-Prince’s airport remains closed and parts of the port continue to be under attack.