Haiti: Gang-related insecurity likely to affect much of country through at least early May /update 3

Event

Insecurity and protests are likely to persist across much of Haiti through at least early May. The threat in the country remains elevated due to kidnappings and violent territorial disputes between rival criminal groups. The current political crisis and socio-economic issues will also likely continue to trigger disruptive protests in urban centers, especially in the capital.

Violent Crime and Kidnappings
Kidnapping incidents have increasingly affected areas near Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) in Port-au-Prince. For instance, the Tabarre neighborhood, where the US embassy is located, has registered an uptick in kidnappings with heavily armed individuals targeting influential individuals in the area. The US Embassy in Haiti has issued security alerts on March 4 and 13 due to the rise of kidnapping incidents in the area and warned of a police operation that could lead to violent confrontations with criminals in the neighborhood. Additional security operations are likely in Tabarre in the coming weeks and could lead to violence and traffic and business disruptions.

The Haitian National Police (Police Nationale d'Haiti, PNH) has also intensified operations in the Croix-de-Bouquets commune, located around 13 km (8 miles) northeast of Port-au-Prince due to increasing gang-related violence. Several armed confrontations have been reported between the police and gangs, especially 400 Mawozo, which was also the gang responsible for the kidnapping of 17 US and Canadian citizens in mid-October 2021.

Exchanges of gunfire and transport and business disruptions continue to occur throughout Haiti with little-to-no warning. Gang activity and violent attacks target both security forces and civilians. Areas in and around the capital that are the most severely affected by violent crime include Carrefour, Drouillard, Champs-de-Mars, Croix-des-Bouquets, Laboule 12, Cite Soleil, Martissant, Bel Air, Toussaint Brave, Bas-Delmas, Santo, Torcelle, and Fontamara. Shooting incidents along the airport road are common and can affect travelers going to and from PAP. The neighborhood of Martissant continues to be one of the most violent in the capital due to gang activity.

The Center for Analysis and Research on Human Rights (Centre d'Analyse et de Recherche en Droits de l'Homme, CARDH), a nonprofit Haitian civil society organization, recorded over 1,000 kidnappings in Haiti in 2021, representing a roughly 25 percent increase in comparison to the previous year. While only 81 of the cases recorded in 2021 involved foreign nationals, kidnapping incidents targeting foreigners remain a high-profile threat. Gangs are responsible for most kidnappings. As they continue to dominate areas of the capital and key highways in the country, the threat is likely to continue to increase for both Haitians and foreign nationals through at least mid-2022.

Gender-based violence in Haiti remains severely underreported, and it is difficult to establish if the number of such incidents increased in 2021. However, nongovernmental organizations warn that these crimes pose a significant threat countrywide.

Civil Unrest and Fuel Shortages
Various activist groups and social movements will likely continue to stage sporadic, planned, and unannounced protests and strikes through at least early May, especially in Haiti's main urban centers. Several protests demanding an improvement to the security situation have been reported nationwide in recent weeks. Thousands of protesters gathered in Port-au-Prince and Les Cayes denouncing the increase in kidnapping cases March 29. During the demonstrations, some protesters set fire to barricades in central Port-au-Prince while those in Les Cayes caused significant disruptions at Antoine-Simon Airport (CYA). Demonstrators set fire to an aircraft and at least one protester was killed and several others injured.

Social and economic grievances are also likely to trigger protests in the country, especially in Port-au-Prince, as the cost of living continues to rise. Authorities will likely deploy to monitor any large protests, especially near government buildings or key highways and roads. There is an elevated threat of clashes between police and demonstrators at all anti-government protests. Protesters commonly block roads, and even small demonstrations can cause significant disruptions. Protesters could attempt to block the route to PAP, burn vehicles, and vandalize private businesses.

The threat of further significant fuel shortages and essential supplies also persists nationwide. Gang activity has exacerbated nationwide fuel shortages in recent months as criminal groups often demand payments for the transportation of basic supplies in areas under their effective control. With criminal groups still controlling several parts of Route Nationale 2, southern parts of the country remain particularly vulnerable to shortages.

Advice

Exercise heightened personal vigilance in Haiti. Keep away from areas most severely affected by criminal activity and refrain from nonessential travel after dark. Avoid areas where police or other security forces appear to be deploying. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Update and review contingency plans. Plan for possible transport disruptions; reconfirm the status of public transport before departure. Avoid all protests due to probable violence; shelter in place if unrest occurs nearby. Monitor local media for information regarding protest activity and road closures. Do not attempt to pass through roadblocks; wait for authorities to remove them.