Violence in Haiti

UN chief in Haiti: “There are small signs of hope”

UN chief António Guterres believes that the world must take more responsibility for the situation in Haiti. He says this during a visit to the area.

“The humanitarian situation here is desperate, but there are small signs of hope,” he writes on X.

During his visit, he meets women, children and men who have been affected by the widespread violence on the island.

Haiti has struggled with economic and political problems for many years. But above all, it is criminal gangs that plague the island. Since the beginning of the year alone, at least 2,300 have died, 1,100 have been injured and almost 100 people have been kidnapped as a result of gang violence, according to the UN.

Gang leader believed to be behind kidnapped official in Haiti

Gang leader Christ-Roi Chéry is believed to be behind the kidnapping of the defense minister's chief of staff in Haiti, writes The New York Times. The official was abducted from the capital Port-au-Prince on Thursday last week, writes the BBC.

The man's wife and 6-year-old daughter, who are American citizens, were also kidnapped, according to sources to The New York Times. The gangs are also said to have demanded a ransom.

It is not uncommon for gangs to kidnap people with dual citizenship to try to get higher ransoms or to deter authorities from intervening in gang-controlled areas, according to the AP.