Published on: 2026-06-17
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Daniel Dickinson
16 June 2026 Peace and Security
Along the 15th of October Boulevard—the lively street in the east of Port-au-Prince—colorful pickup taxis move, with passengers looking out from the windows. Along the road, street vendors sell fruits and various homemade utensils from makeshift stalls. This urban scene might not have been particularly remarkable if one does not recall that not long ago, due to fear of violence from armed gangs, people avoided appearing on the streets of the Haitian capital.
According to estimates, approximately 90 percent of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas are controlled by no fewer than 26 gangs. They are engaged in intimidating the population, extortion, kidnappings for ransom, as well as obstructing the free movement of goods. Since the beginning of the year, as a result of violence from the gangs, more than 2,300 people have died, and around 1,100 have been injured.
New stage
The situation is gradually changing now: the city is patrolled by the UN Security Council-created Forces to combat banditry, the base of which is located just a few blocks from the 15 October Boulevard. On Tuesday, during a visit to Port-au-Prince, the base was visited by the UN Secretary-General.
“Deploying these forces provides a real opportunity to contain violence and restore the authority of the state,” Antonio Guterres told journalists after visiting the base. “We do not have the right to miss this chance.”
The UN chief added that gangs must be disarmed and disbanded, and their members reintegrated into society. According to Guterres, ensuring security alone is not enough — it must be accompanied by “progress in the political field.”
Forces fighting banditry receive logistical, operational, and technical assistance from the recently established UN Support Office in Haiti. This structure plays a key role in ensuring the effective activities of the forces combating banditry, the protection of vulnerable population groups, and the support of humanitarian access.
“Our goal is absolutely clear: it is necessary to reduce the operational capability of gangs to a level at which local law enforcement agencies will be able to handle them independently,” said the head of the Anti-Banditry Forces Jack Christofides at the Security Council in April of this year.
Currently, the base is preparing to receive 5550 servicemen from a number of countries around the world. Offices where senior staff will work are being urgently equipped inside a cargo container.
Years of instability
Haiti has been suffering from turmoil and instability for many decades. The country has not had an elected president since July 2021, when the last acting head of state, Jovenel Moïse, was killed.
Violence by gangs has led to about 1.5 million Haitians leaving their homes. Millions of people are in need of humanitarian support against the backdrop of deepening poverty.
During his visit to Haiti, the UN chief spoke with Haitians forced to flee violence.
“I have met families who have lost everything, yet they have stayed together with courage and dignity that call for respect,” Guterres said. “These families did not ask for my sympathy. They are expecting action.”
Revival of hope
Despite the challenges faced by Haiti, there is now hope that, by gradually increasing its capabilities, the Force for Combating Banditry will be able to change the everyday life of Haitians by working together with local law enforcement authorities.
The organization of patrols in city districts and the creation of advanced operational bases throughout Port-au-Prince and beyond are intended to provide Haitians with a sense of greater security and to restore their everyday life to a normal course.
It is also expected that the Forces combating banditry will have a profound long-term influence on the situation in the country. This refers to cooperation with regional countries in order to cease the supply of weapons and ammunition, taking border crossings and sea smuggling routes under control, and dismantling financial flows for armed groups.
“For the first time in many years, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel,” Antonio Guterres noted at the end of his visit. “Haiti has a chance to change the situation – but only if the international community takes responsibility. Let’s take a sober look at the situation: gangs are terrorizing the country, state institutions are weakened. But the greatest shame is the indifference of the world that has turned away from Haiti.”
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of information. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.