The United Nations (UN) has warned of a 'total state collapse' in Haiti as gangs tighten their grip in the Caribbean nation.
In a report submitted to the UN Security Council, a rise in gang-related activities, particularly in the capital of Port-au-Prince, left the country on the brink. "The capital city was paralysed by gangs and isolated due to the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights into the international airport," Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for the Americas at the Department of Political Affairs (DPPA), told the UN. "As gang control expands, the state's capacity to govern is rapidly shrinking, with social, economic, and security implications," added Ghada Fathi Waly, in a briefing remotely from Vienna.
The fourth contingent of Kenyan police officers arriving at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport (TLIA) in Haiti on February 6, 2025.
Photo MSS This is happening at a time when Kenyan police officers are reported to be struggling to contain the gangs whose influence only continues to grow.
