Haiti, the world’s first Black republic, born in fire and revolution, is once again gripped by chaos—this time not from a colonial empire or a foreign occupation, but from within. Gangs now rule vast swaths of the country, terrorizing ordinary citizens, paralyzing the economy, and pushing an already fragile nation further into collapse.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, is no longer governed by the state. Instead, it is carved up into zones controlled by more than 200 heavily armed gangs. Kidnappings, arson, rapes, and extrajudicial killings have become daily occurrences. Schools are shut down. Hospitals are overrun. And airports—critical arteries for aid and commerce—have been seized or made inoperable. What we are witnessing is not just a breakdown of law and order but the full erosion of a nation’s sovereignty and dignity.
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As a Caribbean publication with a long-standing commitment to the people of Haiti and their right to peace and self-determination, Carib News calls attention to this dire situation not with despair, but with urgency, clarity, and solidarity. Haiti’s suffering should concern all of us in the region—and the world.
To understand the present, we must reckon with the past. Haiti’s descent into disorder cannot be divorced from its history of colonial exploitation, systemic exclusion, and international sabotage.
Haiti’s founding in 1804 as the first nation born of a successful slave revolt sent shockwaves through the colonial world. France, embarrassed and enraged by the loss of its most profitable colony, demanded reparations from its former slaves—crippling the new nation with an impossible debt that took more than 120 years to pay off. The international community, particularly the United States and European powers, responded to Haiti’s independence with isolation and economic strangulation, fearing its revolutionary ideals would inspire similar uprisings.
In the 20th century, the U.S. occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934, under the pretext of stabilizing the country but effectively controlling its economy and suppressing nationalist movements. This occupation laid the foundation for Haiti’s dependence on foreign aid and its pattern of authoritarian rule, which culminated in the brutal Duvalier regimes—father and son—backed by Western powers in the name of anti-communism.
The fall of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier in 1986 did not bring the democratic renaissance many hoped for. Instead, Haiti entered a revolving door of military coups, foreign interventions, and failed elections. The 2010 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince killed over 200,000 people and left more than a million homeless. The influx of aid—though well-intentioned, was poorly coordinated, and much of it failed to reach those in need. Adding insult to injury, a cholera outbreak introduced by U.N. peacekeepers killed thousands more, and to this day, the U.N. has not fully accepted accountability.
Now, in 2025, we are seeing the culmination of decades of political instability, poverty, corruption, and failed international policies that have left Haiti vulnerable to the very gangs now holding it hostage.
The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 marked a turning point. In the absence of a functioning government, gangs rapidly expanded their control. The provisional prime minister, Ariel Henry—never elected—struggled to assert legitimacy or restore order. Despite international recognition, his administration lacked the capacity to govern, and over time, became increasingly irrelevant to the on-the-ground reality faced by Haitians.
Gangs such as G9 and G-Pèp, once rivals, have now formed loose alliances, consolidating their grip over territory and resources. Some of these groups claim political motives, but their methods—brutal violence, extortion, forced displacement—betray any pretense of representing the people.
Today, nearly half of the capital is under gang control. Police stations are burned. Judges are threatened or assassinated. Even humanitarian agencies cannot operate safely. The result is a lawless state where impunity reigns and survival is the only daily goal for millions of Haitians.
The international community has responded with platitudes, promises, and platters of aid—but not enough action. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has attempted to facilitate political dialogue, but progress has been glacial and often undermined by internal divisions and a lack of enforcement mechanisms.
In October 2023, the U.N. authorized a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to be led by Kenya and supported by several Caribbean and African nations, including The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Barbados. The mission’s aim: to support the Haitian National Police in restoring order. Yet, as of early 2025, deployment has been repeatedly delayed by legal challenges, logistical bottlenecks, and lack of clear leadership.
Meanwhile, the United States and Canada have imposed sanctions on gang leaders and some political elites, but such measures are symbolic if not accompanied by concrete efforts to dismantle the networks that fund and arm these groups.
At the same time, Haitian civil society is demanding more than just foreign boots on the ground. They are calling for a homegrown political solution, one rooted in accountability, inclusivity, and constitutional reform. Many rightly fear that another intervention without a long-term development strategy will simply repeat the mistakes of the past.
While the political class debates and the international community equivocates, the Haitian people suffer. Over 1.6 million Haitians are now estimated to be internally displaced. Food insecurity affects nearly half the population. Schools have become refugee camps, and children are robbed not just of their education but of their futures.
Women and girls are especially vulnerable. Sexual violence has become a tool of gang warfare. Medical facilities are scarce. International aid workers have been evacuated in droves. The Haitian diaspora—especially in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean—is left watching in agony, trying to mobilize resources but unable to stem the tide.
We are witnessing a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions—and yet, the world’s attention remains fleeting.
Despite it all, Haiti is not a nation without hope. Its people, time and again, have shown courage, creativity, and community. From the neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince to the hills of Jacmel, Haitians are organizing mutual aid, defending their communities, and demanding justice. The diaspora continues to send billions in remittances, supporting families and rebuilding infrastructure.
The path forward must include disarming the gangs, strengthening local governance, rebuilding institutions, and investing in long-term economic growth. But more than that, it requires listening to the Haitian people—not imposing solutions from outside, but empowering Haitians to build the future they deserve.
At Carib News, we stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti. We grieve for your losses, feel your pain. And we honor your unbreakable spirit.
To our fellow Caribbean nations, we say: this is our collective responsibility. Haiti is not a burden—it is our sister nation, our shared heritage, and our unfinished promise.
To the international community: your silence is complicity. The time for performative concern is over. Haiti needs meaningful action—now.
To the Haitian people: know that your resilience inspires us. From the embers of your revolution to the rubble of today’s crisis, your courage has never faltered. We believe in your right to live in peace, to build in freedom, and to thrive in dignity.
Let us all rise to this moment, not just with words, but with will.
Haiti must not be forgotten. Haiti must be free.
