Haiti Gang War

Haiti's gang crisis has transformed the Western Hemisphere's poorest country into a failed state with no functioning government, police, courts, or basic services across most of its territory. What began as politically-backed armed groups has evolved into heavily armed criminal federations that now control an estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince and have effective sovereignty over major transportation corridors, ports, and markets. Haiti in 2024-2025 represents the Western Hemisphere's worst humanitarian crisis since the 2010 earthquake. The crisis accelerated dramatically after the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise (shot 12 times at his private residence in a still-unsolved murder). The power vacuum triggered competition between rival gang federations: G9 an Fanmi (led by former police officer Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier) and the GPEP coalition. In February 2024, the Viv Ansanm alliance — uniting previously warring G9 and G-Pep factions — launched a coordinated attack on government facilities: seizing the National Palace area, attacking police headquarters, and releasing over 4,700 prisoners from Haiti's two main prisons. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, traveling internationally, was unable to return to Haiti and ultimately resigned in March 2024. The Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission, authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023, deployed its first 400 Kenyan police officers in June 2024. The force has shown courage but faces an asymmetric war against gangs with automatic weapons, armored vehicles, and intelligence networks that have eliminated dozens of Haitian National Police officers who attempted to resist.

Haiti's gang crisis creates regional security spillovers threatening the entire Caribbean. Over 700,000 Haitians have fled to the Dominican Republic (which shares Hispaniola island), creating Haiti's largest refugee flow since the 2010 earthquake. The Dominican Republic has begun deportations of 10,000+ Haitians monthly and is constructing a border wall. Haitian refugee flows reach Puerto Rico by boat, Florida by sea, and overland through Central America. The Darien Gap crossing — which saw 520,000 migrants in 2023 — is increasingly traversed by Haitians, creating border security pressure for Mexico and the US. Gang control of Haiti's ports creates potential for cocaine and fentanyl trafficking from South America. The 2010 earthquake reconstruction ($13 billion in international aid) has proven ineffective; Haiti's per capita income ($1,800/year) has declined 25% since 2010.

Haitian National Police has been largely neutralized: 13,000 officers (target 25,000), with over 600 killed since 2020 and mass defections. Police in many areas have simply fled their posts or been executed. Gang federations — primarily Viv Ansanm — deploy approximately 10,000 fighters equipped with AR-15s, AK-pattern rifles, .50 caliber machine guns, RPG-7s, and a growing fleet of armored vehicles including pickups with welded steel plating. Gang intelligence networks use encrypted phones and community informants to track police movements. The Kenyan MSS forces of 2,500 police officers are equipped with armored personnel carriers, helicopters, and modern small arms but are police forces — not military — which limits rules of engagement and heavy weapons availability.