OAS urged to do more to help Haiti fight gang violence
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OAS urged to intensify efforts as Haiti’s gang violence worsens, overwhelming local security forces.
The Organization of American States (OAS) is facing increasing pressure to step up its involvement in addressing the escalating gang violence crisis in Haiti, amid concerns over the limited resources and manpower available to a UN-backed security mission led by Kenyan police currently operating in the troubled Caribbean nation.
This urgent call for more robust action came during an OAS meeting held on Thursday, following alarming developments in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Jimmy Chérizier, a notorious former elite police officer turned powerful gang leader, recently urged residents of the Delmas 30 neighborhood to allow armed gang members free passage as they seek to overthrow Haiti’s prime minister and the transitional presidential council governing the country. This brazen appeal underscores the rapidly deteriorating security situation that threatens the fragile political stability in Haiti.
Haitian gangs now control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince and have expanded their reach significantly into Haiti’s central region in recent months, exacerbating violence and chaos. The widespread territorial control by gangs has transformed large swaths of the capital and surrounding areas into no-go zones, severely limiting government authority and crippling efforts to restore order.
Patrick Pélissier, Haiti’s minister of justice and public security, voiced grave concerns during the meeting, stating, “Every day, these gangs are gaining more territory.” His comments highlighted the rapid and worrying expansion of gang influence in urban and rural areas alike. This trend not only fuels lawlessness but also poses a direct challenge to Haiti’s government and its limited security forces.
Representing the U.S. government, Barbara Feinstein, deputy assistant secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti at the Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, attended the OAS meeting. Her presence followed strong demands from U.S. Senator Mark Rubio, who called for the OAS to take a more active role in formulating and implementing solutions to Haiti’s deepening crisis.
Haiti’s Defense Minister Jean Michel Moïse provided a stark assessment of the country’s security apparatus, acknowledging that the Haitian military is “very small, very embryonic” and ill-prepared for the ongoing urban warfare. With roughly 1,000 personnel, many of whom lack adequate training and equipment, the military is struggling to confront the well-armed gangs that dominate the streets and neighborhoods.
“The army was not prepared for this kind of challenge,” Moïse admitted, underscoring the overwhelming nature of the threat facing Haitian security forces. The inability to effectively combat gangs has led to growing calls for international assistance to bolster Haiti’s capabilities.
Both Moïse and Pélissier expressed gratitude for the support already provided by the OAS and the broader international community. However, they stressed that these efforts remain insufficient in light of the scale of the crisis. Pélissier emphasized the urgent need for solidarity to translate into “concrete actions” rather than mere statements of support.
“The problem that we have in front of us today is huge,” Pélissier said. His words reflect the complexity of the gang violence, which intertwines with political instability, economic hardship, and the proliferation of illegal weapons.
Haitian officials pointed to the role of arms smuggling in fueling the violence, with many weapons entering the country illegally, some reportedly originating from the United States. The flow of arms into Haiti complicates efforts to curb gang activity and restore law and order.
The UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police has been active in attempting to stabilize the capital and protect civilians but faces significant obstacles due to insufficient funding and personnel. The limitations hamper the mission’s ability to exert control over gang-held territories and protect vulnerable populations.
As Haiti continues to grapple with escalating violence, displacement, and political uncertainty, the international community faces mounting pressure to provide comprehensive and sustained support. The OAS, as a regional organization, is seen as pivotal in coordinating aid, diplomatic engagement, and security assistance.
The challenge remains immense: overcoming entrenched gang power structures, restoring public security, and paving the way for political stability and economic recovery in Haiti will require unprecedented commitment and cooperation from both regional and global actors.
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