Violence in Haiti

UN: More than 3,000 victims of Haitian gang violence this year

More than 3,000 people have been killed in the escalating gang violence in Haiti since the beginning of the year, a new report from the UN agency OHCHR shows according to AFP. Counting from October 2024, nearly 5,000 have been killed, according to the report.

Much of the violence has previously been concentrated in Port-au-Prince, but the UN emphasizes that it has now spread beyond the capital. Armed gangs have taken control of parts of the country and carried out murders, rapes and kidnappings, the news agency writes. More than 1,000 people have been killed outside the capital in the past nine months, according to the report.

– In the midst of this endless nightmare, the Haitian people find themselves, says UN human rights chief Volker Turk in a statement.

Gang violence paralyses Haiti – more support is needed

A new UN report is urging the international community to step up its support for Haitian authorities in the fight against gang violence, writes AFP. This is necessary to prevent the rapid destabilization of the Caribbean, according to the report.

Leaders in the region have promised to work together to combat the gang violence that is paralyzing the nation, writes The Guardian.

In connection with Jamaica taking over the presidency of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) earlier this week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that the issue of security would characterize the presidency. In his opening speech, he expressed concern about the pace of international support for Haiti.