UN Security Council Expands Arms Embargo on Haiti to Combat Rising Gang Violence

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to expand its arms embargo on Haiti to include all types of weapons and ammunition, responding to the alarming rise in gang violence and criminal activities in the impoverished Caribbean nation.

The decision, made on Friday, aims to strengthen efforts to control the flow of illegal arms that have exacerbated the security crisis in Haiti.
The newly adopted resolution empowers all 193 U.N. member states to take appropriate measures to prevent the illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and related materials into Haiti.

Previously, the embargo was limited to small arms and ammunition, but this expansion reflects the urgent need to address the increasingly sophisticated weaponry being smuggled into the country, particularly from the United States. U.S. representative Dorothy Shea emphasized the dire situation in Haiti, stating, The United States remains deeply concerned by the security and humanitarian crises in Haiti.

Too many people continue to suffer from ongoing violence. The resolution also extends a travel ban and asset freeze on individuals listed on the U.N. sanctions blacklist for an additional year.
Haiti has seen a dramatic increase in gang-related violence since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, which created a power vacuum that armed gangs have exploited.

It is estimated that these gangs now control approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince, leading to widespread fear and instability among the population. In early October, a massacre attributed to the Gran Grif gang resulted in at least 109 deaths, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention.

The leader of this gang, Luckson Elan, was recently added to the U.N. sanctions list, which now includes seven individuals involved in gang activities.
The resolution also calls for enhanced cooperation from the Haitian government to improve management of police weapons and strengthen border controls to curb illegal trafficking.

Additionally, it extends the mandate of a Kenyan-led multinational force aimed at supporting Haiti’s National Police in combating gang violence. Kenya plans to send an additional 600 police officers next month to bolster efforts against gang activities.

As violence continues to escalate, the international community remains focused on finding solutions to restore stability and security in Haiti.