Haiti

Understand

Armed gangs have long operated in Haiti's capital, but their power grew sharply after President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated on July 7, 2021. With no elected president and the terms of the last elected senators expired in 2023, gangs extended their control over neighborhoods, roads and ports in and around Port-au-Prince. In February 2024 rival groups united in the Viv Ansanm coalition, led by former police officer Jimmy Chérizier, and launched coordinated attacks on state targets. Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned, and a Transitional Presidential Council took office in April 2024. The US has designated Viv Ansanm a terrorist organization.

A Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission began deploying in June 2024 but stayed well below its planned strength. On September 30, 2025, the UN Security Council authorized a larger, non-UN Gang Suppression Force (GSF) of up to 5,550 personnel, supported by a new UN support office. Gangs have meanwhile spread beyond the capital into the Artibonite and Centre departments, and attacks have reached areas once considered relatively safe, such as Kenscoff.

Parties

• Haitian National Police and armed forces State security forces under the transitional government of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
• Gang Suppression Force Non-UN multinational force authorized by the UN Security Council in September 2025.
• Viv Ansanm Gang coalition led by Jimmy Chérizier, designated a terrorist organization by the US.
• Other armed gangs Groups active in Artibonite, Centre and around Port-au-Prince.
• United Nations (BINUH, support office) Political mission and logistics support for the force; not a combatant.

Analysis

As of early October 2026, the GSF remains far below its authorized size. Kenya's contingent left in April 2026, and contributors now include Chad, Jamaica, Mongolia and Sri Lanka. At the end of September the force numbered roughly 1,500, about 30 percent of planned capacity, with more troops expected. On September 29, 2026, the Security Council extended its mandate to March 31, 2027, by 12 votes with China, Russia and Pakistan abstaining. The Haitian government also employs a US-based private military company, and drone strikes by security forces have caused civilian casualties.

Politics remain in transition. The Transitional Presidential Council's mandate ended on February 7, 2026, and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé now holds executive authority alone. A first round of national elections, the first since 2016, is scheduled for December 13, 2026, with a possible runoff on February 21, 2027. Viv Ansanm still dominates most of metropolitan Port-au-Prince, though the coalition has shown signs of strain. Killings, kidnappings and sexual violence remain widespread, and gangs killed at least 11 people in Artibonite on the eve of the September vote.

What to watch

• Whether the GSF approaches its authorized strength as new contingents arrive
• Whether the first-round vote scheduled for December 13, 2026 goes ahead
• Gang expansion in Artibonite, Centre and the outskirts of Port-au-Prince
• Security Council decisions on the force before its mandate ends on March 31, 2027

Data

Parties

Haitian National Police and armed forces; Gang Suppression Force; Viv Ansanm and other gangs

Began

July 7, 2021 (assassination of President Moïse)

Gang Suppression Force

Authorized September 30, 2025 for up to 5,550 personnel; mandate to March 31, 2027

Internally displaced

UNICEF: about 1.5 million (first half of 2026)

Killings

UN: 1,408 killed (April to June 2026)

Elections

First round scheduled for December 13, 2026

Timeline

1. 2021-07-07President Jovenel Moïse is assassinated at his home.
2. 2024-02-29Gangs united in Viv Ansanm launch coordinated attacks across Port-au-Prince.
3. 2024-04A Transitional Presidential Council takes office after Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns.
4. 2024-06-25The first Kenyan police officers of the Multinational Security Support mission arrive.
5. 2025-09-30The UN Security Council authorizes the Gang Suppression Force.
6. 2026-02-07The Transitional Presidential Council's mandate ends, leaving the prime minister as sole executive.
7. 2026-04Kenya's contingent departs as Chadian troops begin arriving for the new force.
8. 2026-09-29The Security Council extends the force's mandate to March 31, 2027.

Live events, aircraft and thermal anomalies for every theatre are published as GeoJSON on the data endpoints page.