UN Reports 4,200 Dead in Haiti Gang Violence Crisis

Haiti is experiencing a severe escalation in gang violence, with a recent UN report highlighting that over 4,200 people were killed in just eight months, and more than 1,300 injured, primarily due to gunfire. The report indicates that the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition has expanded its control into middle-class areas of Port-au-Prince, with attacks characterized by extreme brutality, including executions and sexual violence. Security forces, underfunded and undermanned, have struggled to respond effectively, as demonstrated by a five-hour delay in addressing a deadly attack in Kenscoff. The influx of illegal firearms, often trafficked from the U.S. and through porous borders, has significantly empowered these gangs. The humanitarian crisis is worsening, with over 78,500 individuals displaced in the first quarter of this year alone, highlighting the urgent need for international assistance and stricter border controls to curb arms trafficking. Amidst this chaos, local authorities are seeking regional support to combat the crisis, but public confidence continues to erode as violence persists.