The United States has decided to extend its prohibition on flights to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, through September 8 due to increasing gang violence. This announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration continues a ban that was first imposed in November after gangs attacked three commercial airplanes. Originally set to expire this week, the restriction addresses heightened security concerns.
A U.N. human rights expert focused on Haiti has conveyed alarming updates on the situation. During his fourth visit to the country in two years, the expert highlighted that gang violence has intensified, along with growing anguish among the population. He noted that despite national police efforts and international support from a Kenya-led consortium, the risk of Port-au-Prince becoming entirely overrun by gangs remains significant.
Gangs are not only increasing their influence within Haiti’s capital but also expanding their reach to other areas, engaging in severe criminal activities such as murder, sexual assault, and arson. The expert remarked that these groups have penetrated all sectors of society, often acting with no fear of consequence and potentially with the backing of influential figures. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, gang power has surged, with these groups now controlling approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince.
As a result of the violence, more than one million Haitians have been displaced and forced into living conditions where hunger and sexual violence are rampant. The expert urged Haitian officials to tackle impunity and corruption to effectively dismantle the gangs and stressed the need to strengthen the police force. Haiti’s police force remains under-resourced, with only 9,000 to 10,000 officers for a population of 11 million, significantly fewer compared to the Dominican Republic’s force of about 50,000.
In response, he called for significant reinforcements of the international police presence, which initially began deploying last June and now consists of around 1,000 officers. A force of 2,500, well-provisioned with equipment like helicopters, advanced ground vehicles, night vision technology, and protective armor, could play a crucial role in weakening and dismantling the gangs.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has recently suggested to the Security Council that the funding for logistics and equipment for the international force, led by Kenya, should come from the U.N. budget. Currently, these resources depend on voluntary contributions, which also fund the international police force.
