Haiti Violence Escalates Amid Gang Dominance

Haiti has witnessed a sharp rise in violence with over 1,740 casualties from July to September, marking an almost 30% increase from the previous quarter, as gangs control 85% of Port-au-Prince. The United Nations has reported that gangs, now numbering around 5,500 members, are filling roles typically held by police and judiciary, exacerbating the crisis. Law enforcement has been implicated in 106 extrajudicial killings, raising concerns about disproportionate use of force. A UN-backed security mission led by Kenyan forces is struggling due to a lack of funding and personnel, despite ongoing violence and calls for a peacekeeping intervention. The dire situation has displaced at least 700,000 people and increased the vulnerability of children to gang recruitment due to economic desperation. International attention is growing on Haiti's crisis, with calls for more robust international intervention and support.