Severe Gang Violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

After the murder of a local gang leader, gangs are roaming Port-au-Prince’s most notorious slum, Cite Soleil, shooting and beating people in their homes. This outbreak of violence is said to be the worst in decades.

Human rights advocates say that politicians are using gangs to repress or to foment dissent and providing them with weapons. The police fail to intervene in gang violence. Authorities intervene to free the gang members who are arrested.

Advice

Some countries advise against all unnecessary travel to Haiti due to the unstable and unpredictable safety and security situation.