UN reports surge in violence as gangs tighten control in Haiti

The humanitarian crisis in Haiti deepened between July and September, with over 1,740 people reported killed or injured, marking a nearly 30% rise from the previous trimester, according to new data released by U.N. officials.

The increase in violence comes as gangs extend their control over 85% of Port-au-Prince, up from 80%, posing significant challenges for the U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police, which has been hampered by insufficient funding and resources. This has led to growing calls for a more robust U.N. peacekeeping operation.

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) highlighted the alarming developments, warning that in the absence of state authority, gangs have begun to take on roles typically held by police and judicial officials, imposing their own rules on residents.

The report noted that out of the 1,223 reported killings in the third trimester, most were attributed to gang violence. However, at least 106 extrajudicial killings were carried out by law enforcement, including six children as young as 10, accused of collaborating with gang members. According to BINUH, 96 of these deaths were attributed to police officers, while 10 were linked to Jean Ernest Muscadin, public prosecutor of Miragoâne. Since 2022, Muscadin is alleged to have been responsible for at least 36 killings of suspected gang members or individuals accused of common crimes.

Gang violence impact on children

The U.N. Security Council report released Monday detailed the severe impact on children, who now make up a significant portion of gang recruits, with some estimates suggesting they comprise up to 50% of gang members. These minors are often used as scouts, armed carriers, and even participants in violent confrontations. The report underscored that Haiti’s deteriorating socioeconomic conditions, including limited access to education and employment, leave many children vulnerable to gang recruitment as a means of survival.

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During police operations against gangs over the past trimester, 669 people were killed, with three-quarters identified as suspected gang members and one-quarter being civilians. BINUH raised concerns over the disproportionate use of lethal force and the insufficient measures taken to safeguard civilians during these operations.

La Saline, a slum in Port-au-Prince, recorded the highest number of fatalities and injuries at 234. Most victims were attacked in their homes as gangs fought for control over Haiti’s main port and its container terminal. The violence has expanded beyond the capital, with gangs now occupying neighborhoods in Carrefour and Gressier, employing what BINUH described as “extreme brutality” to assert control over local populations.

A particularly harrowing incident was recounted in the report: in mid-August, a plainclothes police officer was intercepted by gang members, mutilated, forced to eat parts of his own body, and then burned alive.

Self-defense groups, which have doubled to around 60 since January, have also contributed to the bloodshed. These groups, formed to protect communities, have targeted suspected gang members or those accused of petty crimes, sometimes employing savage tactics. BINUH reported that victims were often mutilated with machetes, stoned, decapitated, or burned alive, with children among those killed or injured.

Overall, the third trimester recorded at least 59 child casualties amid the escalating violence. The U.N. continues to emphasize the urgent need for international support and strategic intervention to stabilize the country and protect its most vulnerable citizens.