UN demands an end to impunity and punishment for gang financiers in Haiti
The United Nations (UN) has issued an urgent call to break the cycle of impunity that sustains violence in Haiti. The international body has requested that all those individuals who finance and facilitate the operations of criminal gangs be brought to justice to answer for their actions.
Carlos Ruiz Massieu, head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), was in charge of raising this request during an extraordinary session of the Security Council. The meeting was convened following the brutal attack that recently occurred in the commune of Kenscoff, southeast of Port-au-Prince, which has left a trail of pain and death in the Caribbean nation.
Tragedy in Kenscoff
The attack, recorded between August 23 and 24, has been classified as one of the most serious incidents in recent months. According to official data presented by Ruiz Massieu, the criminal incursion resulted in the deaths of at least 47 people, including three boys and two girls. The event also left an undetermined number of injured and kidnapped people, causing a massive displacement of residents fleeing insecurity.
Alarming statistics of violence
- Between April and June 2026: More than 1,400 killed and 600 injured.
- First half of 2026: At least 3,050 dead and 1,401 injured.
Ruiz Massieu emphasized that security operations are insufficient if they are not accompanied by comprehensive strategies. According to the official, it is imperative to restore basic services, boost the economy, and recover social life so that Haitians stop living in constant fear of kidnapping, murder, or sexual violence.
Positions in the Security Council
During the session, international powers debated the future of security in the country:
- United States: Representative Jennifer Locetta advocated for the renewal of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) mandate, stressing that gangs must not impede democratic processes or the elections scheduled for December.
- Russia: Vassily Nebenzia highlighted the need to investigate the origin of arms trafficking, noting that much of the weaponry used by criminal groups comes from U.S. territory.
- Haiti: Representative Pierre Ericq reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the National Police and recruiting new military personnel to regain territorial control.
The current landscape represents a critical challenge for Haitian political stability. The international community remains expectant regarding the State’s capacity to guarantee security during a crucial political transition period, where the priority remains dismantling the power of criminal organizations that threaten the nation’s future.
