Photo Clarens digit, agence France-Presse
Over 3,000 Haitians have lost their lives due to escalating gang violence since January 1, 2025, according to a united Nations report released July 11, 2025.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti – A surge in gang-related violence has plunged Haiti into a deepening humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations reporting more than 3,000 deaths and over 239,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) as of July 11, 2025.The escalating conflict is concentrated in the Ouest department, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas like Cité Soleil and Croix-des-Bouquets.
The UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that the majority of the 239,000+ IDPs are sheltering in overcrowded and under-resourced temporary sites, facing critical shortages of food, water, and medical care.In late April,harrowing scenes unfolded as residents attempted to flee gang control by crossing the Rivière Artibonite,Haiti’s longest river,on foot and by swimming. The Artibonite Valley, normally an agricultural hub, has seen increased gang activity disrupting food production and distribution.
in a move aimed at bolstering the national police response, the Haitian government appointed André Jonas Vladimir Passage as the new acting Director General of the Haiti National Police (HNP) on Friday, July 12, 2025. Passage replaces Normil Rameau, whose tenure was marked by criticism regarding the HNP’s effectiveness in combating the gangs that control an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince. Rameau had repeatedly voiced concerns about chronic underfunding and lack of resources for the police force.
Passage brings experience from a sensitive security role, having previously served as Head of Security at the national Palace. He was also a serving police officer at the time of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7,2021,at his private residence in Pétion-ville,a suburb of Port-au-Prince. The examination into Moïse’s assassination remains ongoing, with several individuals arrested and charged, including former Haitian Senator Joseph joel John.
These leadership changes coincide with Laurent Saint-Cyr assuming the chairmanship of haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council (PTC). The PTC, established in February 2024 following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, is tasked with restoring order and organizing presidential and legislative elections by February 7, 2026.The PTC is composed of nine voting members representing various sectors of Haitian society,including political parties,civil society organizations,and the private sector. The Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023, is expected to deploy approximately 1,000 police officers to Haiti to support the HNP in combating gang violence.Deployment has been delayed due to logistical and legal challenges, but is anticipated to begin in late July 2025.
