In the wake of the catastrophic jailbreak on March 3, 2024, where over 4,700 prisoners escaped, plunging Haiti into chaos, Tactics Institute stands firm in its demand for immediate action to address the escalating crisis gripping the nation. Organized by powerful criminal factions, the jailbreak underscores the dire state of affairs in Haiti following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.
Haiti’s history is marred by political instability, economic hardship, and rampant violence. Decades of tumultuous governance, including the legacy of the Duvalier family’s brutal rule and recurrent coup attempts, have left the nation vulnerable to criminal exploitation and governmental failure. 59 percent of the nation’s 11 million people live in poverty, exacerbated by environmental collapse, extreme weather, and natural disasters. Haiti’s proximity to drug-producing countries to its south and the drug-consuming US to its north feeds criminal activity.
The association between crime, gangs, and political power in Haiti stretches back at least to 1964 when Papa Doc Duvalier created a feared, personal militia to implement his rule. Elections after 1988 did little to repair order, as different political factions started their connections with local illicit groups.
Despite numerous international efforts to stabilize Haiti, including interventions by the United States and the United Nations, the situation continues to deteriorate. The recent attempt to deploy a new multinational security force, led by 1,000 Kenyan police officers, lacks sufficient support and resources. The United States and Canada’s modest financial commitments fall short of addressing the urgent need for intervention.
The international community’s failure to provide adequate assistance has allowed criminal gangs to seize control, leaving Haiti without effective governance or security forces. The government of acting President Ariel Henry remains precarious, and the absence of elections since 2015 exacerbates the crisis.
Moreover, Since the 7 July 2021 killing of former President Jovenel Moïse, in which gunmen stormed the presidential palace, insecurity has expanded and gang authority in the country has grown. According to the UN, 8,712 Haitians were either targets of murder, kidnapping, or damage by criminal gangs in 2023, twice the number from the previous year.
Tactics Institute urgently calls upon the international community to recognize the gravity of the situation and take decisive action. The UN Security Council must convene immediately to coordinate a comprehensive response, including the establishment of an interim government free from illicit ties and a commitment to restore security.
The time for complacency is over. Haiti is pushed toward the brink of collapse, and without coordinated international intervention, the country risks falling entirely into the hands of criminal elements. Tactics Institute implores all stakeholders to prioritize the restoration of stability and the protection of Haiti’s citizens. The world cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer.
