The death toll from gang violence in Haiti has exceeded 4,500 this year, with at least 150 people killed in Port-au-Prince over the past week, according to United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk.
In a statement, Turk described the escalating violence in the Haitian capital as a “harbinger of worse to come,” urging immediate action to prevent the country from further descending into chaos.
Since November 11, gang violence has intensified in Port-au-Prince as armed groups push for full control of the city, where they already dominate about 80% of the area. Civilians are frequently targeted, despite the presence of an international force led by Kenya aimed at supporting Haiti’s outmatched police.
Over the past week, at least 150 people were killed, 92 injured, and around 20,000 displaced, Turk reported. He highlighted the dire situation for Port-au-Prince’s estimated four million residents, who are “practically being held hostage” as gangs control all major roads in and out of the city.
Kenya’s national security advisor Monica Juma called for the UN to consider transforming the current international mission into a formal peacekeeping operation, suggesting it could bring more resources to confront the escalating crisis. The existing mission has deployed only a fraction of pledged troops and less than $100 million in funding.
The violence is being driven by Viv Ansanm, a coalition of gangs that previously helped oust former Prime Minister Ariel Henry. At least 55% of the recent fatalities stemmed from clashes between gangs and police, while mob lynchings are reportedly on the rise.
Authorities said police and civilian defense groups killed 28 gang members during an overnight operation this week, part of the government’s efforts to regain control of the capital.
The UN reported that gang violence has left 4,544 people dead and 2,060 injured this year, with the real figures likely higher. Additionally, approximately 700,000 people—half of them children—are now internally displaced.
Turk warned that the unchecked violence is exacerbating Haiti’s humanitarian crisis, with severe shortages of food and water, the spread of infectious diseases, and a collapsing health system. Attacks on humanitarian workers have further complicated relief efforts.
He called for “concrete steps” to protect the population and restore the rule of law, stating that “gang violence must not prevail over the institutions of the State.”
