Mon Apr 21 23:16:47 UTC 2025: ## Haiti on Brink of Collapse Amidst Soaring Gang Violence: UN Warns
**Port-au-Prince, Haiti** – Haiti is teetering on the edge of total collapse due to a surge in gang violence, the United Nations has warned. Maria Isabel Salvador, the UN special representative to Haiti, addressed the UN Security Council on Monday, painting a grim picture of a nation overwhelmed by escalating crime and struggling to maintain order.
Gang violence has spread across the country, leaving citizens increasingly vulnerable and distrustful of the government’s ability to protect them. Recent events include the seizure of Mirebalais, resulting in the fifth prison break in less than a year, and ongoing battles for control of Port-au-Prince. These actions, according to Salvador, represent a deliberate attempt by gangs to consolidate power and instill fear.
A Kenyan-led UN multinational force, deployed last June, has struggled to contain the violence. Despite some successes in securing key infrastructure, the force, currently understaffed at approximately 1,000 officers, faces highly coordinated gang attacks targeting civilians and strategic installations. Kenya’s national security advisor, Monica Juma, stated that the operation has entered a decisive phase.
A recent UN report reveals a staggering increase in violence, with 2,660 homicides recorded between December 2024 and February 2025 – a 41.3% increase compared to the previous quarter. The report also highlights a concerning civilian death toll during anti-gang operations, estimating that 21% of the 702 people killed were innocent. Gender-based violence has also spiked dramatically, with 347 incidents reported in the same period, primarily involving collective rape.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has echoed the urgent call for immediate international support, emphasizing the need to prevent the capital from succumbing to complete chaos. Salvador’s plea for increased aid and support for both the Haitian police and the international force underscores the critical situation and the urgent need for international intervention to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
First Piper 