Violence is spiraling out of control in Haiti: Crimes increased by 8% in the last quarter of 2023

Crimes and delinquency in Haiti seem to be never ending. The Human Rights Department of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) released a report detailing that the violence carried out by criminal gangs in the country increased by 8% between October and December 2023, compared to the data obtained in the third quarter of the year.

In total, 2,327 citizens were killed, injured or kidnapped in the last quarter, raising the total number of victims last year to more than 8,400. When it comes to the victims of the crimes from October to December of last year, 73% are men, 24% are women and 3% are children. Quarter by quarter, the number of murders, injuries and kidnappings increased.

Port-au-Prince, one of the most dangerous cities in the world

Artibonite is the department home to Les Gonaives, one of the most populated cities in the country with a particularly high crime rate. However, the area with the most crime is in the southern area of Port-au-Prince. Half of the total kidnappings took place in the capital and the city of Croix-des-Bouquets, in addition to numerous sexual crimes, murders, robberies and other criminal offenses.

Thanks to the BINUH document, we can confirm that Port-au-Prince is one of the most dangerous cities in the world. For example, the United Nations agency revealed that a total of 42 murders and injuries occurred in La Saline, one of the most popular neighborhoods of the Haitian capital, in just three days between October and December 2023.

Another example is Cité Soleil, a city located on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, where 268 people were injured or killed in 17 days.

Haitians are fed up with violence

Haitians are sick and tired of the violence in their country. This caused a citizen revolution. Last April, a mob of residents in Port-au-Prince took action against criminals and burned them alive in the streets. This reaction came as a result of the increase in murders and robberies as well as an increase in disputes between gangs and gang members.

The United States warned its citizens to leave Haiti

Washington, DC, is not immune to everything that has been happening in Haiti. In July, Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued an order for non-essential U.S. diplomatic personnel to leave the country due to spiraling violence.

On the other hand, the Department of State (DOS) asked Americans living in Haiti to leave, extending that request to those who were going or planning to travel to the country.