Haiti Gang Control: Capital Under Siege – NPR
UN Warns of Gang Control in Haiti Amid Escalating Violence
Updated July 03, 2025
The United Nations warned Wednesday that gangs in Haiti have gained “near-total control” of Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital.U.N.officials say authorities are struggling to contain the escalating violence that plagues the already impoverished Caribbean country. The gang violence has paralyzed the city.
Ghada Fathy waly, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime,told the U.N. Security Council that approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince is now under the control of criminal groups.These groups are expanding their attacks into previously peaceful areas, exacerbating the political instability.
Waly noted that southern Haiti, once relatively safe, has seen a sharp increase in gang-related incidents. In the east, criminal groups exploit land routes, attacking police and customs officials at key crossings like Belladere and Malpasse. The humanitarian crisis deepens as a result.
According to Waly,the state’s authority is rapidly diminishing as gang control expands. Criminal groups are filling the void left by limited public services, establishing “parallel governance structures.” Gang control of major trade routes has paralyzed legal commerce,causing prices for essential goods like cooking fuel and rice to skyrocket.
What’s next
The situation in Haiti remains dire, with the U.N. continuing to call for international support to address the escalating violence