Key facts
- The Haiti Crisis is a gang conflict / state collapse in the Caribbean, currently Active (High intensity).
- Armed gangs control much of Port-au-Prince and key infrastructure, driving a collapse of state authority, mass displacement, and a humanitarian emergency, with an international security mission deployed in support of Haitian police.
- Key actors: Haitian National Police, Armed gangs and coalitions, Multinational Security Support mission.
- What's at stake: State survival, Humanitarian emergency, Political transition.
Latest developments
The headlines below are pulled automatically from Google News (the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) and link to primary reporting. They are updated periodically; last refreshed 2026-06-21.
- A turning point for Haiti? New security force takes fight to powerful gangs2026-06-16 — UN News
- UN chief visits Haiti, where a new 'gang-suppression force' will be deployed2026-06-17 — NPR
- Explainer: Organized crime and gang violence in Haiti2026-01-21 — United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
- U.N. Says Gang Violence Has Displaced 1.5 Million Across Haiti2026-06-18 — Democracy Now!
- Children make up half of Haiti’s gangs. They’re about to face a new foreign force.2026-04-06 — CNN
- Haiti's gang violence crisis: What to know and how to help2026-04-17 — International Rescue Committee
- Why a security approach alone isn’t enough to rid Haiti of gangs2026-04-29 — The New Humanitarian
- Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 61: Drone Strikes from Haitian ‘Task Force’ PMSC Vectus Global Kill Over Twelve-Hundred People2026-06-02 — Small Wars Journal
Overview
Armed gangs control much of Port-au-Prince and key infrastructure, driving a collapse of state authority, mass displacement, and a humanitarian emergency, with an international security mission deployed in support of Haitian police.
This page is an evergreen orientation. Figures and control change continually — confirm the latest with the primary sources listed below.
Key actors
- Haitian National Police — the principal state security force.
- Armed gangs and coalitions — controlling much of the capital.
- Multinational Security Support mission — international forces backing the police.
- Civilian population — facing displacement, hunger, and violence.
What's at stake
- State survival: restoring basic governance and security.
- Humanitarian emergency: hunger, displacement, and disease.
- Political transition: prospects for stability and elections.
- Regional impact: migration and Caribbean security.
Haiti Crisis explained: the key dynamics
Gangs control the capital
Armed gangs, often organized into coalitions, control large portions of Port-au-Prince and key roads, ports, and infrastructure, effectively besieging parts of the capital.
State collapse
The violence has accompanied a near-collapse of state authority, with the police overwhelmed and basic governance, services, and elections disrupted.
An international security mission
A multinational security support mission, led by foreign police contingents, has deployed to help Haitian police confront the gangs, with limited gains amid immense challenges.
Timeline: how the haiti crisis unfolded
- 2021 — The assassination of the president deepens a political and security vacuum.
- 2022–23 — Gang coalitions expand control across Port-au-Prince.
- 2024 — Gang offensives trigger a governing crisis; an international mission is authorized.
- 2025–26 — Gangs retain control of much of the capital amid a humanitarian emergency.
How this conflict is mapped and tracked
Haiti's crisis is tracked by ACLED as gang violence and clashes, alongside UN and humanitarian reporting on displacement and killings. Gang-controlled areas are dangerous to access, so figures are estimates and the situation can change rapidly.
For how these datasets differ, see ACLED vs UCDP vs CFR and our guide to conflict-tracking tools.
How it fits the global picture
This is one of 29 active armed conflict theaters tracked on the Global Armed Conflicts Map. Explore related and concurrent conflicts:
Frequently asked questions
What is happening in Haiti in 2026?
Armed gangs control much of Port-au-Prince amid state collapse, with an international security mission supporting the police. Confirm the current status with primary sources such as ACLED, UCDP, and the CFR Global Conflict Tracker.
Who controls Haiti's capital?
Armed gang coalitions control large portions of Port-au-Prince, contesting the Haitian police and an international mission.
How can I follow it live?
Use the interactive conflict map to see this theater alongside 28 other active conflicts, filter by intensity and region, and open intelligence briefings for each.
Why did Haiti collapse into gang violence?
A combination of political vacuum after the 2021 presidential assassination, economic crisis, and the rapid expansion of heavily armed gang coalitions overwhelmed the state's capacity to maintain order.
What is the international mission in Haiti?
It is a multinational security support mission, authorized to help Haitian police confront the gangs, with foreign police contingents deployed in a supporting role.