Two Years After Moïse Assassination: The Impact of Gang Violence in Haiti

Two years after President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination, the security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, with gangs reportedly controlling over 80% of the capital. Violence and kidnappings are at record levels. In addition, Haitians continue to risk their lives to reach the United States.

In April, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights designated William O’Neill as an expert on human rights in Haiti. In a recent report, he addressed challenges related to gang activity, including gender violence, displacement, and Haiti’s struggle to establish the rule of law. That security situation is also a major obstacle to restoring a representative government through credible elections. Today, there are no elected officials left in Haiti. The latest international response is a proposed multinational force to support the Haitian National Police. Kenya has volunteered to lead this effort, and it recently sent an assessment team to Haiti to analyze its role in this international effort.

Please join the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program and Canada Institute on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am (ET) for an important discussion on the crisis in Haiti, potential solutions, and the implications for Haiti, its neighbors, and the United States.