Haiti: Gang violence has left at least 5,700 people dead or injured so far this year, per UN
The United Nations high commissioner for human rights also reported more than 230 kidnappings and at least 1,000 cases of sexual violence against women and girls. The international force deployed to combat the gangs has only about 1,500 of the 5,500 troops planned.
People are fleeing the area following violence in which more than 20 people were killed by armed gangs
At least 5,700 people were killed or injured in Haiti between Jan. 1 and Sept. 11, 2026, as a result of gang violence or during operations carried out against these groups, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reported on Friday.
"My office documented at least 5,700 people killed or injured by gangs or during operations against them," Türk said during a statement before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, according to AFP.
The official also noted that gangs kidnapped more than 230 people and raped more than 1,000 women and girls during that period, though he cautioned that the actual figures are likely higher.
For years, Haiti has been undergoing a profound political, economic and security crisis, exacerbated by the rise of heavily armed criminal organizations that control large swaths of the country. Although security forces have managed to partially contain their activity in parts of Port-au-Prince, Türk maintained that the gangs continue to adapt, rearm and expand into new areas.
This situation comes as the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) continues to operate well below its intended capacity. The United Nations Security Council authorized a force of 5,500 troops, but currently only about 1,500 are deployed, according to U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz this week.
On Sept. 29, the Security Council decided to extend the mission's mandate for another six months, through March 31, 2027, amid difficulties in mustering sufficient personnel and resources to confront criminal organizations.
Concerns about security operations
Türk also expressed "serious concerns" about the possible unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by Haitian security forces and so-called self-defense groups.
According to data presented by the high commissioner, more than half of the victims recorded since the beginning of the year were killed in the context of security operations, including hundreds of people struck by stray bullets and explosive drones.
Although summary executions attributed to specialized police units were reduced by nearly half compared to 2025, the U.N. maintains that there continue to be cases of people allegedly linked to gangs who are executed without due process.
Self-defense groups are reported to have caused approximately 280 deaths or injuries during 2026.
Election scheduled for December
The electoral calendar sets Dec. 13, 2026, for the first round of presidential and legislative elections, along with a referendum to ratify constitutional changes. The Haitian Electoral Council itself has warned, however, that adherence to the schedule depends on adequate security conditions and sufficient funding.
Insecurity thus constitutes one of the main challenges for the electoral process, as Haitian authorities and the international community attempt to reclaim territories controlled by gangs and ensure minimum conditions to hold the election.
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