Haiti stands on the precipice of complete state failure as armed gangs tighten their grip on the nation, effectively challenging the authority of the interim government. The Transitional Presidential Council, established after the government’s collapse in April 2024, has struggled to assert control, with allegations of corruption further undermining its legitimacy.
The capital, Port-au-Prince, has become a battleground where daily confrontations between police, civilian vigilantes, and the gang coalition Viv Ansanm occur. This group now controls significant portions of the city, including critical infrastructure. The international airport is largely non-operational, with access limited to helicopters and coastal barges that navigate around gang-held territories.
In a significant move, the United States designated Viv Ansanm and its affiliate, Gran Grif, as foreign terrorist organizations on May 2, 2025. This designation aims to disrupt their financial and logistical networks but raises concerns about potential impacts on humanitarian aid delivery, as NGOs often negotiate with these groups to reach affected communities.
The humanitarian situation is dire. The United Nations reports that in February and March alone, over 1,000 people were killed, and 60,000 displaced, adding to the nearly one million Haitians who have fled their homes over the past two years. Cholera is spreading, schools are closed, and essential services are collapsing. The Marriott, one of the last functioning hotels, has shut its doors, symbolizing the broader breakdown of public life.
Gangs have also targeted communication networks. They have surrounded the offices of Digicel, Haiti’s main cellular provider, threatening to sever the country’s primary means of communication. Meanwhile, these groups utilize advanced technologies like Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite system to coordinate their activities, maintaining control over ports and extorting transportation operators.
The international community’s response has been limited. A Kenyan-led UN-backed security mission, intended to bolster Haitian police forces, remains underfunded and understaffed. With only about 1,000 personnel deployed—less than half the planned number—the mission’s effectiveness is in question. Moreover, its funding is set to expire in September, casting doubt on its sustainability.
Haitian Defense Minister Jean-Michel Moise has called for urgent international support, highlighting the role of arms and drug trafficking—particularly from the United States—in empowering gangs. He emphasized that the country’s limited security forces, comprising approximately 12,000 police and 1,000 military officers, are outmatched by well-armed criminal groups.
As the situation deteriorates, the United Nations has condemned the escalating violence and the influx of illegal arms, urging stronger international measures to restore peace and stability. However, efforts to convert the current mission into a formal UN peacekeeping operation face opposition from key Security Council members, including China and Russia.
With the nation’s capital at risk of complete takeover and the humanitarian crisis deepening, Haiti’s future hangs in the balance. The international community faces mounting pressure to act decisively to prevent further collapse and support the Haitian people in reclaiming their country from the grip of gang violence.
