Haiti’s Political Crisis Deepens Amid a Slide Into Criminal Governance
Haiti’s democratic politics have weakened as gang rule has strengthened. The country has had no elected national officials since January 2023. A Transitional Presidential Council holds nominal executive authority. Its mandate ends on February 7, 2026, with no clear succession plan and no elected president in place. The provisional electoral calendar points to a first round later in 2026 and a presidential inauguration in 2027. Even this timeline feels optimistic.
Haïti : l’hélicoptère de l’ONU, unique moyen de transport sûr face aux gangs de Port-au-Prince
En Haïti, les gangs contrôlent aujourd'hui environ 85% de Port-au-Prince. Se rendre dans la capitale ou en partir est devenu quasi mission impossible, surtout par les airs. Plus aucune compagnie ne dessert la ville en raison de l'insécurité. Pour le personnel humanitaire, il ne reste qu'un moyen de transport jugé relativement sûr : la navette en hélicoptère assurée par l'UNHAS, le service aérien des Nations unies. Elle relie Port-au-Prince à la deuxième ville du pays, Cap-Haïtien.
U.S. Embassy issues alert after heavy gunfire reported in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince advises U.S. citizens of ongoing security operations north and south of the embassy and in Croix-de-Bouquets. Heavy gunfire is reported in the area. U.S. government personnel have halted all movements. The embassy remains open for emergency services.
UN criticizes Haiti for lack of progress on a political transition
The U.N. Security Council criticized Haitian authorities Thursday for the lack of progress in achieving a political transition and called for urgent security sector reforms to tackle increasing violence by gangs and criminal groups.
Troops for Gang Suppression Force in Haiti expected in April; U.N. says work is on track
Efforts to establish a United Nations office in Haiti to provide logistical and operational support for the newly authorized Gang Suppression Force are on track to meet Security Council deadlines, Secretary-General António Guterres’ office said.
“The first air asset from the mission, which is a helicopter, is now in Port-au-Prince,” Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres’ spokesman said. “This is an important step for our colleagues’ logistics and operational mobility.”