Violent criminal gangs have 'near-total control' of world nation's capital, UN says
Gangs control an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince, Ghada Fathy Waly, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, told the U.N. Security Council. Waly noted that gangs are expanding into previously peaceful areas.
"Southern Haiti, which until recently was insulated from the violence, has seen a sharp increase in gang-related incidents," she said. "And in the east, criminal groups are exploiting land routes, including key crossings like Belladere and Malpasse, where attacks against police and customs officials have been reported."
U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca informed the council that "the ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince" and their strengthened foothold in the capital and beyond is "pushing the situation closer to the brink."
Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Immigration Policy In Shocking Decision On Haitian Protections
"Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario," he warned.
Read On The Fox News App
Gangs have gained power since President Jovenel Moïse's assassination in July 2021, previously controlling 85% of the capital. Haiti has not had a president since the assassination.
A new U.N. report covering last October through February highlights that gangs have exploited political turmoil and Haiti's disorganized security response, saying competing political ambitions and corruption allegations within transitional governing bodies have hindered action.
Blackwater Founder Erik Prince Teams With Haitian Government To Fight Gang Violence
"While the expansion of territorial control brings gangs additional sources of revenue and bargaining power," the U.N. experts said in the report, "these attacks are also backed by individuals trying to destabilize the political transition for their own political goals."
The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Haiti in September 2024, warning Americans against visiting due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and limited healthcare.
In May, the Trump administration designated two of Haiti's most powerful gang networks, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists.
Fox News Digital's Jasmine Baehr and The Associated Press contributed to this report.Original article source: Violent criminal gangs have 'near-total control' of world nation's capital, UN says
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mystery deepens as body discovered during search for missing American in island paradise
Police in the Turks and Caicos Islands have discovered the body of a man while searching for a New York man who went missing while vacationing in the Caribbean late last month. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) said in a press release that it had discovered the body of a deceased man in a "state of decomposition" just after 9 a.m. on Saturday, in the Grace Bay Police District. Additional partner agencies were notified, and the scene was secured, according to police. But the RTCIPF made it clear that the identity of the body has not been established, adding that once the identification process is complete and next of kin is informed, officials will provide further updates. American Tourist Vanishes In Tropical Paradise After Early Morning Walk From Vacation Rental "The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased," Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams said while commenting on the discovery of the body. "We urge family members of the public to refrain from speculation and allow the investigative process to confirm the identity through official channels." Read On The Fox News App The investigation into the matter remains ongoing. The news comes nearly a week and a half after 51-year-old Brian Tarrence, of Monroe, New York, went missing on June 25. Police Investigate Vessel With 11 Decomposed Bodies Washed Ashore In Caribbean Tarrence was last seen leaving his condominium around 3:30 a.m. at the Paradise Inn in Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, according to a missing persons flyer from the RTCIPF. Tarrence, who recently moved from Monroe to Manhattan, arrived in Turks and Caicos with his wife of one year on June 22, and they planned to leave on June 29. The Tarrence family's private investigator, Carl DeFazio, told Fox News Digital last week that the couple seemed to be having a normal couple of days, and he walked out of his condominium in a very safe place, and in the middle of Grace Bay Road. DeFazio said Tarrence was on camera when he walked into town and disappeared. Family Of American Found Dead On Bahamas Beach Fears 'Evidence Will Disappear,' Pleads For Help "We haven't heard from him since," he said. DeFazio said the Turks and Caicos police force is using every resource it has, including drone technology and CCTV to try and locate the 51-year-old man. He left his rental with his phone and wallet. He was wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sneakers, DeFazio said. The day before his disappearance, he and his wife had gone on a boat trip. That evening, his wife went to bed, and when she woke up, he was gone. She hadn't noticed he left, DeFazio said. Turks and Caicos police are asking anyone with information about Tarrence's disappearance to contact 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this article source: Mystery deepens as body discovered during search for missing American in island paradise
Fox News
9 hours ago
- Fox News
Mystery deepens as body discovered during search for missing American in island paradise
Police in the Turks and Caicos Islands have discovered the body of a man while searching for a New York man who went missing while vacationing in the Caribbean late last month. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) said in a press release that it had discovered the body of a deceased man in a "state of decomposition" just after 9 a.m. on Saturday, in the Grace Bay Police District. Additional partner agencies were notified, and the scene was secured, according to police. But the RTCIPF made it clear that the identity of the body has not been established, adding that once the identification process is complete and next of kin is informed, officials will provide further updates. "The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased," Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams said while commenting on the discovery of the body. "We urge family members of the public to refrain from speculation and allow the investigative process to confirm the identity through official channels." The investigation into the matter remains ongoing. The news comes nearly a week and a half after 51-year-old Brian Tarrence, of Monroe, New York, went missing on June 25. Tarrence was last seen leaving his condominium around 3:30 a.m. at the Paradise Inn in Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, according to a missing persons flyer from the RTCIPF. Tarrence, who recently moved from Monroe to Manhattan, arrived in Turks and Caicos with his wife of one year on June 22, and they planned to leave on June 29. The Tarrence family's private investigator, Carl DeFazio, told Fox News Digital last week that the couple seemed to be having a normal couple of days, and he walked out of his condominium in a very safe place, and in the middle of Grace Bay Road. DeFazio said Tarrence was on camera when he walked into town and disappeared. "We haven't heard from him since," he said. DeFazio said the Turks and Caicos police force is using every resource it has, including drone technology and CCTV to try and locate the 51-year-old man. He left his rental with his phone and wallet. He was wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sneakers, DeFazio said. The day before his disappearance, he and his wife had gone on a boat trip. That evening, his wife went to bed, and when she woke up, he was gone. She hadn't noticed he left, DeFazio said. Turks and Caicos police are asking anyone with information about Tarrence's disappearance to contact 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Washington Post
20 hours ago
- Washington Post
Vigilantes once fought Haiti's gangs. Now it's hard to tell them apart.
Arnold Junior Pierre, a journalist for Radio Galaxie, was on his way to the station in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince when he was ambushed. A man grabbed him by the collar and demanded to know where he was coming from, he told The Washington Post. Another swept out his legs from under him. They ripped off his small cross-body bag, and a press badge spilled out. He identified himself as a journalist. They continued to hold him down.
