85% Under Gangs – OAS, Kenya FAIL to Deliver

As Haiti’s gang crisis worsens with 85% of Port-au-Prince under criminal control, the OAS faces mounting pressure to lead a regional solution while a UN-backed Kenyan police mission struggles to gain traction.

At a Glance

  • The Organization of American States (OAS) is under increasing pressure from the U.S. to organize a regional mission to address Haiti’s gang violence crisis
  • The UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police is operating at just 40% capacity with only 1,000 of 2,500 planned personnel and 30% equipment capability
  • Gangs now control 85% of Haiti’s capital and are expanding into central regions, with a recent attack in Artibonite leaving 22 dead
  • Haiti’s police force is severely understaffed and outgunned by gangs that are benefiting from weapons smuggled primarily from the U.S.
  • Political instability has compounded the security crisis, with recent turmoil in Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council further hampering response efforts

OAS Under Fire as Haiti Crisis Deepens

The Organization of American States is facing sharp criticism for its handling of Haiti’s spiraling gang violence as the Caribbean nation slides further into chaos. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently lambasted the regional body during a meeting in Washington, questioning its very purpose if it cannot address the hemisphere’s most pressing security crisis. The rebuke comes as Haiti experiences a resurgence of gang violence following a brief lull between May and September 2024, with armed groups now controlling most of the capital.

“Why do we have an OAS, if the OAS can’t put together a mission to handle the most critical region in our hemisphere?” asked Marco Rubio during the recent OAS meeting in Washington. 

Kenyan Mission Faltering Amid Resource Shortages

The UN-backed security mission led by Kenyan police, once hailed as Haiti’s best hope for stability, is struggling to gain traction. Currently operating with only 1,000 personnel—less than half of the 2,500 initially planned—and at just 30% equipment capability, the mission faces significant challenges in confronting well-armed gang alliances. OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro has acknowledged these difficulties, suggesting that new initiatives and structures may be necessary to effectively address the security vacuum.

Kenya’s OAS representative reported some progress but emphasized that the mission requires substantially more training, funding, and personnel to fulfill its mandate. Haiti’s justice and public security minister, Patrick Pélissier, painted a grim picture of the nation’s law enforcement capabilities, revealing a severe shortage of police officers and limited intelligence-gathering capacity. The contrast between Haiti’s undermanned security forces and increasingly powerful gangs continues to widen as weapons flow into the country.

Gang Expansion and Territorial Control

The scope of Haiti’s gang crisis is staggering—armed groups now control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince and have been rapidly expanding their territory in central Haiti. A recent attack in the Artibonite region resulted in 22 deaths, highlighting the ongoing violence that continues to plague the nation. Gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, known as “Barbecue,” has publicly called for supporters to help overthrow Haiti’s prime minister, demonstrating the political ambitions of these criminal organizations.

“I need the road to get to the prime minister’s office,” declared Jimmy Chérizier, openly challenging government authority. 

Recent gang offensives have displaced approximately 40,000 people in Port-au-Prince alone. Strategic areas including Solino and parts of Pétion-Ville have fallen under gang control, further eroding state authority. A massacre by the Gran Grif gang in October marked the beginning of a new cycle of violence that shows little sign of abating. With each territorial gain, gangs consolidate power and access to resources, making the challenge of restoring order increasingly difficult.

Political Paralysis Complicating Security Response

Haiti’s security crisis is compounded by persistent political instability. Recent conflict between the Transitional Presidential Council and former Prime Minister Gary Conille led to Conille’s dismissal, creating a leadership vacuum at a critical moment. The Council, led by Leslie Voltaire, has failed to make meaningful progress on constitutional reform or the formation of an electoral council, leaving the country without a clear path toward democratic governance and further hampering security operations.

“Much more can and should be done,” stated Barbara Feinstein, U.S. acting assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, regarding the international response to Haiti’s crisis. 

The state’s response to mounting violence has been largely ineffective, with insufficient resources allocated to both the national police and the Multinational Security Support Mission. Citizen trust in law enforcement has eroded significantly, leading to the rise of vigilante groups across the country. Reports of police abuse have further complicated the security landscape, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate security operations and extrajudicial activities. Without substantial international support and a unified political strategy, Haiti’s security situation is likely to deteriorate further.

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