The United Nations has warned that escalating violence in Haiti is threatening efforts to end the country’s prolonged political transition and hold elections.
In a recent report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said armed groups continue to expand their activities despite increased security operations, with violence increasingly spreading into rural areas.
Between July and early October, 1,123 people were killed and 440 wounded in incidents involving armed groups, while authorities were held responsible for the deaths or attacks of another 808 people, including 148 civilians with no links to criminal groups.
UN representative Carlos Ruiz said gangs are increasingly using kidnappings, intimidation and reprisals against civilians to maintain territorial control and challenge state authority. The report also documented the sexual assault of 689 women and girls in July and August, with 87% reportedly victims of gang rape.
The UN stressed that security operations alone will not provide lasting stability and called for the restoration of state presence, along with disarmament and reintegration programs, particularly for children recruited by armed groups.
The violence is also jeopardizing Haiti’s return to democratic rule. Presidential and legislative elections originally scheduled for December 13 have been postponed indefinitely.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with nearly 1.5 million people displaced, including more than 740,000 children. Haiti’s economy is also expected to contract for a seventh consecutive year, while the UN’s 2026 humanitarian plan has received only about half of the funding required.