Haiti Faces Escalating Gang Violence and Deportation Challenges

Port-au-Prince Gripped by Gang Control as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Port-au-Prince, Haiti – Haiti is confronting an unprecedented crisis as violent gangs tighten their grip on the capital, Port-au-Prince, and spread their influence across the country. According to the United Nations, gangs now control approximately 90% of the city, leading to a dramatic surge in displacement, economic hardship, and insecurity. The situation has reached a critical juncture, with over 1.3 million Haitians displaced and basic civil governance teetering on the edge of collapse.

Historical Context: From Political Instability to Widespread Violence

Haiti’s current turmoil is deeply rooted in decades of political instability, economic hardship, and social unrest. The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 marked a turning point, leaving a power vacuum that emboldened armed gangs to expand their territories. The subsequent resignation of interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry in early 2024 further destabilized the nation, as a transitional presidential council struggled to restore order.

Haiti’s long-standing challenges—stemming from its colonial history, cycles of exploitation, and recurring natural disasters—have left its political and social systems vulnerable. The unchecked flow of illegal firearms, weak law enforcement, and chronic poverty have enabled gangs to operate with near impunity, escalating violence to levels unseen in recent memory.

Humanitarian Impact: Displacement, Insecurity, and Daily Hardship

The escalation in gang violence has had devastating effects on the Haitian population. More than 1.3 million people are now displaced, many forced to flee their homes due to direct threats, extortion, and attacks. The United Nations reports that at least 2,680 people were killed between January and May 2025, including 54 children, while nearly 1,000 others were injured and hundreds kidnapped for ransom.

Women and girls are particularly vulnerable, facing heightened risks of exploitation and sexual violence as lawlessness spreads. The collapse of public order has paralyzed legal commerce, disrupted essential services, and left entire neighborhoods isolated. Attacks on police stations, hospitals, and infrastructure have become commonplace, plunging millions into chaos and fear.

Economic Fallout: Agriculture, Trade, and Rising Poverty

Gang control over key regions and highways—including the vital Artibonite agricultural area—has devastated Haiti’s economy. Farmers face extortion, intimidation, and direct threats, forcing many to abandon their fields. Gang-imposed tolls and territorial disputes have made trade routes perilous, driving up food prices and reducing local crop yields.

The Artibonite Valley, once considered Haiti’s breadbasket, has seen a sharp decline in agricultural activity. Displacement, attacks on infrastructure, and climate shocks such as droughts and hurricanes have further eroded the nation’s ability to feed itself. As a result, Haiti has become increasingly dependent on imports, which are frequently jeopardized by the sporadic closure of airports and ports due to violence.

The economic decline is self-perpetuating: rising poverty fuels gang recruitment, while increased violence undermines business activity and trade. Haiti remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with the vast majority of its population surviving on less than two dollars a day.

Deportation Crisis: U.S. Policy Shift Raises Alarms

Amid this turmoil, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 500,000 Haitians residing in the United States. The policy, set to take effect within two months, requires affected individuals to leave voluntarily by September. Some have been offered plane tickets and $1,000 for relocation.

The decision has sparked intense debate and concern among human rights advocates and international observers. Critics argue that deporting Haitians to a country gripped by rampant violence and instability poses serious risks to their safety and well-being. The feasibility of returning to Haiti under current conditions is being questioned, as the nation struggles to provide even basic security and services to its citizens.

Regional Comparisons: Haiti’s Crisis in the Caribbean Context

While gang violence and political instability are not unique to Haiti, the scale and intensity of the crisis set it apart within the Caribbean region. Neighboring countries such as the Dominican Republic and Jamaica have experienced their own challenges with organized crime and social unrest, but none have faced the near-total collapse of state authority seen in Haiti.

The Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has responded by tightening border controls and increasing security measures to prevent spillover violence. Other Caribbean nations have expressed concern about the destabilizing impact of Haiti’s crisis on regional security and migration patterns.

International Response and Calls for Action

The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have called for urgent international intervention to prevent a total collapse of state presence in Haiti’s capital. Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for the Americas at the UN Department of Political Affairs, warned the Security Council that the situation is “pushing the country closer to the brink.” Without decisive action, he cautioned, the collapse of civil governance in Port-au-Prince could become a “very real scenario”.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk described the crisis as having reached a new low, with the spread of gang attacks and human rights abuses extending beyond the capital into central regions of the country. Efforts to restore security have been hampered by the limited capacity of law enforcement, while the rise of mob and self-defense groups has led to further abuses.

Public Reaction: Fear, Resilience, and Uncertainty

For ordinary Haitians, daily life has become a struggle for survival. Many express fear and frustration as violence disrupts access to food, healthcare, and education. Displaced families face uncertain futures, often forced to seek refuge in overcrowded shelters or makeshift camps.

Despite the dire circumstances, stories of resilience and solidarity persist. Community leaders, humanitarian workers, and ordinary citizens continue to provide support and protection where possible, even as they call for greater international assistance.

Looking Ahead: The Urgent Need for Stability

The crisis in Haiti represents one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies in the Western Hemisphere. As gang violence escalates and the threat of mass deportations looms, the need for coordinated action—both within Haiti and from the international community—has never been more urgent.

Restoring stability will require not only immediate security measures but also long-term investments in governance, economic development, and social cohesion. The fate of hundreds of thousands of Haitians, both at home and abroad, hangs in the balance as the nation confronts this historic challenge.