Haiti: Gang-related insecurity likely to affect much of country through at least early August /update 5

Event

Insecurity is likely to persist across Haiti through at least early August. While the clashes between rival gangs that had been taking place in the north of Port-au-Prince seem to have abated at least temporarily, the security situation remains volatile. The threat in the country remains elevated due to frequent kidnappings and violent territorial disputes between rival criminal groups. Socio-economic issues and the deteriorating security situation will probably continue to trigger disruptive protests in urban centers, especially in the capital.

Violent Crime and Kidnappings
Throughout May, the security situation deteriorated significantly in several neighborhoods in northern Port-au-Prince as rival gangs, especially 400 Mawozo and Chen Mechan, fought for territory. Gang-related violence killed dozens of people and displaced thousands of residents of affected neighborhoods, including Butte Boyer, Croix-des-Missions, Marecage, and Mapou. Violence also spread to other areas of the city in May, including Petion-Ville and Delmas. While the violence seems to have eased as of mid-June, gangs are continuing to expand their influence in the north of the capital. A high risk of violence persists, particularly in the vicinity of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), along Route Nationale 1, Route Nationale 3, and Route Nationale 8. The presence of gangs in these areas is likely to continue posing an elevated threat to overland travel around PAP and between the capital and its northern and eastern regions.

Kidnapping and hijacking incidents have also continued to increase throughout May and early June, including in Port-au-Prince and Croix-des-Bouquets. The capital's Tabarre neighborhood, where the US embassy is located, has seen an uptick in kidnappings with heavily armed perpetrators targeting influential individuals in the area in recent months. Gangs also continue to dominate Route Nationale 2 in the south of the country; during early June, two buses carrying 38 people were hijacked in Miragoane in the southwest of Haiti. As gangs continue to expand their influence along key highways in the country, the threat of kidnapping will likely increase for both Haitians and foreign nationals through at least late-2022.

Exchanges of gunfire, along with associated 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.

Gender-based violence in Haiti remains severely underreported, and it is difficult to establish if the number of such incidents have also been increasing in recent months. 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 August, especially in Haiti's main urban centers, in response to the deteriorating security situation and social and economic grievances. Authorities will likely deploy heavy security to monitor any large demonstrations, 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 potential for 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 most 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.