In brief
Haiti is facing a dire security crisis as gang violence escalates, with armed groups obtaining high-caliber weapons illegally. Despite a UN arms embargo, firearms primarily from the U.S. are believed to be smuggled into the country.
Amid a deteriorating security situation, Haiti is struggling with the rise of armed gangs that have gained significant power through the illegal acquisition of firearms and ammunition. A recently shared video featured Joseph Wilson, a gang leader, showcasing his stockpile of .50 caliber ammunition, humorously claiming that he uses the bullets to groom his hair. Despite the fact that Haiti does not manufacture guns and the shipping of firearms into the country is prohibited, gangs in Port-au-Prince are well-armed, possessing assault rifles and a variety of handguns. Experts estimate around 20 armed groups operate in the region, perpetuating violence that resulted in over 5,600 homicides last year alone—an increase of over 1,000 from the previous year.The U.N. has enforced an arms embargo since 2020, yet illicit arms continue to flow into Haiti, primarily smuggled from the United States. Straw purchasers obtain the weapons, which are transported by sea or through the Dominican Republic's land borders. This alarming situation prompted the Haitian government to limit imports along its border with the Dominican Republic, allowing only locally produced goods, while all others must navigate through dangerous and gang-controlled seaports in Haiti.The ongoing influx of weapons into Haiti poses a serious challenge to law enforcement, which remains critically under-resourced and ill-equipped to combat the superior firepower wielded by these gangs.
