The situation in Haiti has reached a critical tipping point, as gangs threaten to overrun the capital, Port-au-Prince, and undermine the fragile stability of the nation. Without immediate international intervention, the Haitian government risks losing authority altogether, warned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a recent report to the Security Council.
“Time is of the essence,” Guterres emphasized, urging the global community to bolster Haiti’s national police force to prevent a catastrophic collapse of the country’s security institutions.
The Alarming Reality in Haiti
Gang violence in Haiti has surged in the aftermath of the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, leaving the country’s leadership in turmoil. The power vacuum has allowed criminal groups to grow unchecked, and their influence now threatens the core of Haiti’s state authority. More than 5,600 people were reported killed in Haiti last year, a staggering 20% increase from 2023, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office. Violence has displaced over 1 million Haitians, forcing families into overcrowded, unsanitary shelters after gunmen razed their homes. Maria Isabel Salvador, the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, described the humanitarian crisis as “alarming,” noting that nearly 2 million people are facing emergency levels of food insecurity, with 6,000 Haitians on the brink of starvation.
International Efforts Fall Short
Despite the urgency, international responses to Haiti’s plight have been underwhelming. Kenya is leading a multinational police force, yet its deployment remains far below the necessary strength to curb gang violence. While 600 officers are currently on the ground, this is less than a quarter of the 2,500 officers initially envisioned.
Additional contributions have come from Guatemala and El Salvador, but the force lacks sufficient resources to make a meaningful impact. Funding also remains a major issue: the trust fund supporting the multinational force has only received $101.1 million in pledges, far short of what is needed. Haiti’s leaders have called for a United Nations peacekeeping mission to replace the underfunded multinational force. Unlike the current setup, a U.N. peacekeeping mission would draw from the organization’s peacekeeping budget, providing greater resources and sustainability.
A Nation in Peril
Haiti’s Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean Baptiste echoed the urgency in his address to the Security Council, calling the gang violence, massacres, and kidnappings an “existential threat” to the nation. He warned that the survival of Haiti’s state depends on immediate and decisive action. Secretary-General Guterres painted a grim picture of the atrocities committed by gangs, including reports of widespread sexual violence, child recruitment, and collective rape. The brutality has created a sense of hopelessness among Haitians, further destabilizing the country.
In addition to the security crisis, political setbacks have hindered efforts to restore democratic institutions. The transition roadmap following Moïse’s assassination has been alarmingly slow, jeopardizing the goal of reestablishing democratic governance by February 2026.
The Path Forward
Guterres and other global leaders are now calling for the international community to strengthen its commitment to Haiti. This includes accelerating the deployment of police forces, increasing funding, and considering the establishment of a U.N. peacekeeping mission. “The future of Haiti depends on our willingness to act now,” Guterres declared, urging the Security Council to recognize the gravity of the situation.
For Haitians, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The humanitarian crisis, political instability, and escalating violence threaten to plunge the nation into deeper chaos. As the world watches, one question remains: Will the international community step up to help Haiti reclaim its future?
References
- Guterres, A. (2025). UN Security Council Report on Haiti: Addressing Gang Violence and Political Instability. United Nations.
- Salvador, M. I. (2025). Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti: The Role of the International Community. United Nations Special Envoy Briefing.