Haiti: Gang-related insecurity likely to affect much of country through at least mid-February /update 1

Event

Insecurity is likely to persist across much of Haiti through at least mid-February due to continually elevated threats of kidnappings, unrest, and territorial disputes between rival criminal groups. Gangs continue to expand their control over parts of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, and their presence along some key routes has impeded the delivery of essential supplies and threatened overland travel. Persistent gang-related violence, supply shortages, and political uncertainty are likely to trigger bouts of civil unrest in the country over the coming weeks.

Violent Crime and Kidnappings
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; the mid-October kidnapping of 17 Canadian and US nationals from the Croix-des-Bouquets area in the outskirts of the capital, for example, was one of Haiti's most significant kidnapping incidents involving visitors in recent years. Gangs are responsible for most kidnappings and, 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 early 2022.

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

In Port-au-Prince, areas that continue to be 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 Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP). The neighborhood of Martissant continues to be one of the most violent in the capital due to gang activity. Notably, gangs attacked two public buses passing through Martissant Dec. 27, killing at least four people and wounding several others.

Exchanges of gunfire, as well as transport and business disruptions, have recently occurred in Haiti with little-to-no warning and are likely to continue to be reported. Gang activity and violent attacks target both security forces and civilians.

Fuel Shortages and Civil Unrest
Gang activity has exacerbated nationwide fuel shortages in recent months. Gangs often demand payments for the transportation of fuel and other 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 if gangs block the transportation of supplies from the capital.

Various activist groups and social movements are likely to continue to stage sporadic, planned, and unannounced protests and strikes through at least mid-February, especially in Port-au-Prince and other urban centers. Recurring shortages of basic supplies, including fuel and food, combined with prevailing political uncertainty and high rates of violence, have sparked protest activity in recent months with little-to-no warning.

Authorities will likely deploy to monitor any large protests, especially near government buildings. There is an elevated threat of clashes between police and demonstrators at all anti-government protests. Protesters commonly block roads; even small demonstrations can cause significant disruptions. Protesters could attempt to block the route to PAP, burn vehicles, and vandalize private businesses.

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.