Haiti Gang War
Delta badges show 30-day net PF movement
Pro-Gangs
No linked actors classified on this side yet.
Pro-Government
UN-backed forces are deploying to Haiti as gangs still dominate Port-au-Prince and rural violence continues
Escalation Trace
UN-backed forces are deploying to Haiti as gangs still dominate Port-au-Prince and rural
Theater
Focus Region
Americas
Geo-Linked Events
2
President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in July, creating a power vacuum that accelerated rapid gang expansion across Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions.
Rival gang factions G9 and Gpep, previously enemies, began consolidating territorial control across Haiti's capital amid the political crisis following Moïse's killing.
Gang violence escalated sharply, with armed groups controlling an estimated 60–80% of Port-au-Prince and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
In February, the Viv Ansanm coalition launched a coordinated offensive, besieging Port-au-Prince, storming two major prisons and freeing over 4,000 inmates, and seizing the international airport.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, stranded abroad and unable to return, resigned in March under international pressure; a Transitional Presidential Council was established and Garry Conille was appointed Prime Minister.
A Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) began deploying in June under UN authorization, with roughly 400 Kenyan police arriving to support the Haitian National Police against gang control.
Despite MSS deployment, Viv Ansanm extended its hold to approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince, with the Haitian National Police suffering sustained casualties and station attacks throughout the year.
PRO-GANGS
No classic proxy structure — gangs are autonomous predatory actors. Historical: Haitian political elite used gang leaders ('chimères') as political enforcers since Aristide era. Jimmy 'Barbecue' Chérizier (G9 leader) was former police officer turned gang commander. Viv Ansanm ('Living Together') coalition formed 2023 by previously rival gangs G9 and Gpep uniting against government — unprecedented coordination. Kenyan MSS force poorly equipped for urban gang warfare.
Haiti's sovereignty gap is among world's highest: state claims authority over territory actually controlled by gangs. No electoral political process functioning. Western Hemisphere's most acute governance collapse. CFR elevated Haiti to Tier I conflict priority 2025.
UN Gang Suppression Force Initial Deployment to Haiti
An advance team of Chadian forces arrived in Port-au-Prince as the first troop deployment of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force, accompanied by incoming Special Representative Jack Christofides.
Gran Grif Gang Attacks in Artibonite Region, Haiti
The Gran Grif gang conducted coordinated attacks across the rural Jean-Denis area near Petite-Rivière de l'Artibonite, killing at least 16 confirmed and potentially up to 70 civilians, displacing 6,000 residents.