Breaking the Silence: Shedding Light on Haiti’s Crisis

Haiti has faced growing instability since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021. Moïse was killed in his home by armed attackers, creating a power vacuum that plunged the nation into political chaos. This event intensified existing challenges, including leadership disputes and escalating gang violence. The United Nations reports that approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince is under gang control. Nationally, it's estimated that around 2.7 million Haitians, including over 600,000 children, live in areas dominated by gangs. This widespread control has led to severe disruptions in daily life, including mass displacements, restricted access to essential services, and heightened insecurity across the country.

In the years following the assassination, gangs gained control over significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and beyond, exacerbating insecurity and deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis. Efforts to stabilize Haiti included the establishment of a Transitional Presidential Council in April 2024 to guide the country toward democratic elections. However, progress has been hampered by internal conflicts, corruption allegations, and leadership changes, such as the dismissal of Acting Prime Minister Garry Conille and the appointment of Alix Didier Fils-Aimé in late 2024.

The security situation remains dire, with gangs expanding their reach into previously secure neighborhoods. Recently, violence has escalated to the point of targeting infrastructure, including attacks near Toussaint Louverture International Airport, which led to the suspension of U.S. flights to Haiti. On November 11, 2024, gangs opened fire on a Spirit Airlines flight as it approached Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, injuring a flight attendant and causing significant damage to the aircraft. This incident led to the temporary closure of the airport and prompted several airlines, including Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines, to suspend flights to and from Haiti.

International interventions have met with mixed results. A Kenya-led multinational force was deployed to assist Haitian authorities, but the mission has struggled with limited resources and staffing issues. Discussions are underway about transitioning this effort into a United Nations peacekeeping mission, though some member states have expressed opposition. Haiti’s police force is struggling to contain the growing power of gangs due to being vastly outnumbered. With roughly 9,000 active officers tasked with protecting over 11 million people, the ratio falls far below global recommendations, leaving less than one officer for every 1,200 residents. The situation is further exacerbated by gangs being heavily armed, often with more sophisticated weapons than those available to the Haitian National Police. This imbalance has made it increasingly difficult for law enforcement to maintain control and ensure public safety in the face of escalating violence and lawlessness.

The humanitarian toll is severe, with more than 700,000 people displaced and countless others suffering from violence, hunger, and lack of basic services. As the crisis deepens, the international community continues to seek effective ways to support Haiti in restoring stability and moving toward a sustainable democratic future.

MAJOR GANG LEADERS

Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier

Jimmy Chérizier, known as "Barbecue," is a former police officer who now leads the G9 Family and Allies, a coalition of over a dozen gangs operating primarily in Port-au-Prince. Chérizier portrays himself as a champion of the underprivileged, claiming to fight against the country's elite. However, he has been linked to serious crimes, including the La Saline massacre in 2018, which left dozens dead. Despite facing international sanctions.

Vitel'Homme Innocent

Vitel'Homme Innocent is the leader of the Kraze Baryè gang, which operates around the Torcelle region. He gained international notoriety for his involvement in the 2021 kidnapping of 17 Christian missionaries. The FBI has placed Innocent on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. His ties to certain grassroots political factions in Haiti complicate efforts to capture him, as he benefits from local support in some areas.

Wilson Joseph ("Lanmò San Jou")

Wilson Joseph, also known as "Lanmò San Jou," meaning "Death Has No Day," leads the infamous 400 Mawozo gang. Under his command, the gang has become notorious for mass kidnappings, including the 2021 abduction of missionaries. In addition to kidnappings, 400 Mawozo engages in extortion and smuggling operations, controlling vital transportation routes and further destabilizing the region.

Johnson André ("Izo")

Johnson André, nicknamed "Izo," is the head of the Five Seconds gang based in Village de Dieu, a district in Port-au-Prince. Known for extreme violence, Izo has orchestrated murders, rapes, and numerous kidnappings. His gang also uses social media to recruit members and intimidate rivals, leveraging technology to enhance its reach and influence.

Luckson Elan

Luckson Elan leads the Gran Grif gang in the Artibonite region. In October 2024, his gang carried out a gruesome attack in Pont-Sondé, killing at least 70 people, including children, and displacing thousands. This massacre was a retaliatory strike against residents who had supported local vigilantes resisting gang control. Elan’s gang is known for its brutal enforcement of extortion schemes.

There is a civil war brewing in Haiti. We must do everything that we can do to ensure that does not happen.