The report dated February 2024, published this week by "Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime" a group of experts based in Geneva, indicates that some 200 gangs operate in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, some of which are "well-armed and structured entities" with a growing self-financing capacity. and greater and greater autonomy, with politicians and businessmen whom they previously served.

In the capital, the report indicates, at least 23 large gangs operate, some of which have thousands of members, which form two large coalitions :

G9 family and allies :

Delmas Gang 6

Baz Krache Dife

Baz Pilat

Nan Ti Bwa

Simon Pelé’s gang

Baz Nan Chabon

Was Jeremy

Nan Boston

Belekou Gang

Chen Mechan

G-Pèp and allies :

Nan Brooklyn

Village of God/5 Segond

Fontamara

Kraz Barye

400 Marozo

Grand Ravine Gang

Canaan Gang

The security support mission authorized in 2023 by the UN Security Council, and which will be led by the Government of Kenya, "will face a very different and in many ways even more difficult situation than that which existed during the UN Stabilization Mission. in Haiti (MINUSTAH between 2004 and 2017)."

The report indicates that the existence of gangs in Haiti dates back to the time of the dictatorship of François Duvalier Papa Doc, between 1957 and 1971, with the Tontons Macoutes, but for decades they were mainly divided and weak groups, which has changed diametrically.

Today, new gang leaders have long experience, have learned from mistakes and now lead more sophisticated organizations that resemble cartels, militias or paramilitary groups, the report said.

The organization that studies armed groups also warns of the rapid spread of gang violence to rural areas of Haiti like the department of Artibonite, the country's main food production center, in which more than 20 criminal gangs.

Download the full report on gangs in Haiti (English PDF) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Romain-Le-Cour-Grandmaison-Ana-Paula-Oliveira-and-Matt-Herbert-A-critical-moment-Haitis-gang-crisis-and-international-responses-GI-TOC-February-2024.pdf

S/ HaitiLibre