More than 5,500 killed in Haiti as gang violence spreads beyond capital, UN report says

NEW YORK — More than 5,500 people were killed in Haiti in less than a year as gangs tightened their grip and expanded beyond Port-au-Prince, according to a report released Tuesday by the United Nations human rights office.

The report documents at least 5,519 deaths and 2,608 injuries between March 1, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026, linked to violence involving armed gangs, state security forces and self-defense groups.

Gangs were responsible for at least 1,424 killings, while anti-gang operations by security forces accounted for 3,497 deaths. Vigilante groups and mob violence caused another 598 deaths, underscoring a widening cycle of violence and retaliation as an effective response failed.

Over the past year, armed groups have expanded their reach beyond the capital into the Artibonite and Centre regions, seizing control of key roads and maritime routes used to finance operations and traffic weapons.

The report details widespread abuses against civilians, including killings, kidnappings, extortion and sexual violence. Victims were often targeted for perceived ties to police or resistance to gang control. Some were executed and burned, while others were subjected to so-called “trials” by gangs.

“Gangs continued using sexual violence to spread fear among, subjugate, and punish the population,” the report states, documenting at least 1,571 cases involving women and girls.

Security response falls short

The findings come despite ongoing international and domestic efforts to restore order, which have so far failed to significantly improve security conditions on the ground.

The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, deployed in June 2024 to assist the Haitian National Police, has struggled with limited personnel, funding gaps and a restricted mandate. The force, set to leave and be replaced in April by a U.N.-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF),  has remained well below its planned strength and has not helped regain control of key gang-held areas in the capital.

In parallel, Haitian authorities have also turned to private security support, including operations linked to a firm led by former U.S. Navy SEAL Erik Prince. The U.N. report references the involvement of a private military company in drone strikes and helicopter operations, noting that some incidents “could be described as targeted killings.”

“No investigation appears to have been opened by the judicial authorities to establish the legality of these operations,” the report states, raising concerns about transparency and oversight despite millions of dollars reportedly spent on such efforts.

For many Haitians, the persistence of daily violence — including kidnappings, displacement and killings — reflects little tangible improvement despite these high-cost interventions.

Abuses by multiple actors

The report also highlights serious concerns about human rights violations committed by state forces and affiliated actors. It documents 247 cases of actual or attempted summary executions by police, resulting in 196 deaths.

At the same time, self-defense groups and mobs have carried out killings under the banner of “popular justice,” sometimes with alleged support or tolerance from police authorities.

“It is essential for authorities to provide security while fully upholding human rights,” said U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

While the report notes limited progress within Haiti’s justice system, it emphasizes that impunity remains widespread, with few investigations or prosecutions for abuses committed by any party.

“Efforts to further bolster the rule of law … must remain a priority,” Türk added.

As violence spreads and institutions remain fragile, the report underscores a growing gap between security interventions and the lived reality of Haitians, who continue to face one of the region’s most severe and protracted crises.

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