Haiti’s National Police say they are working to secure the country ahead of long-promised general elections, even as gang violence continues to destabilize large parts of the nation.
Interim police chief André Jonas Vladimir Paraison told The Associated Press that authorities are developing a security strategy to allow elections to proceed later this year. While he did not disclose full details, he said more information would be shared soon.
The government has announced plans to hold general elections in late August, with a possible runoff in early December. The Provisional Electoral Council confirmed that registration for political parties and candidates will open from March 2 to March 12.
It has been more than a decade since Haiti last held a general election. Violence has intensified significantly since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Armed gangs now control an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince and have expanded into central regions of the country.
According to U.N. data, gang violence displaced approximately 1.4 million people and left more than 5,900 dead last year, with thousands more injured. Businesses and schools have also been forced to close due to insecurity.
Despite limited resources, the police have launched operations to retake key areas, including Carrefour-Aéroport. Paraison recently oversaw the graduation of nearly 900 new cadets but acknowledged that additional personnel are needed to meet international policing standards.
Haiti’s police are working alongside a U.N.-backed, Kenya-led mission, though officials say it remains underfunded and understaffed. A new gang suppression force is expected to replace the current mission in the coming months.
Experts estimate that hundreds of thousands of illegal firearms circulate in Haiti, many reportedly smuggled from abroad. Authorities say restoring security is critical to ensuring that citizens can safely participate in the upcoming elections.
