Haiti’s security situation has sharply worsened due to rampant gang violence, political instability and the collapse of state authority. Since 2022, more than 16,000 people have been killed and at least 7,000 injured, with over 200 gangs (95 in Port-au-Prince), controlling much of the country’s infrastructure. The main gangs, including G9, G-PEP, 5 Segond and Gran Grif, engage in killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, extortion and displacement. Despite UN-led international interventions (the Multinational Security Support Mission, later replaced by a Gang Suppression Force), violence continues to escalate.
In 2025, over 2,680 people were killed, 957 injured and 316 disappeared, while 1.3 million people, 11% of Haiti’s population, had been displaced. Security forces have increasingly used drones against gang strongholds, often causing civilian casualties. The “Bwa Kale” vigilante movement has emerged in response, killing more than 500 suspected gang members since 2023.
Key hotspots include Port-au-Prince, Artibonite and Centre departments, where violent clashes, mass killings, arson and forced displacement persist. The Viv Ansanm gang coalition, led by Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, has expanded its territorial control. Rival groups like Gran Grif and Kokorat san ras continue to fight for dominance. With elections planned for August 2026, intensified anti-gang operations and further instability are expected in the coming months.