Haiti - Politic : BINUH and GSF report the situation in Haiti to the Security Council
Monday October 19, 2026, during the 10,246th meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, UN Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), warned that setting unrealistic electoral dates in Haiti and a premature timetable risks undermining confidence in state institutions in a context of escalating gang violence. For his part, Jack Christofides, special representative of the Gang Supression Force (GSF) took stock of the GSF personnel deployed in Haiti and the shortage of logistical means and equipment...
According to Massieu, the repeated announcement of electoral dates, without prior assessment of their realism and feasibility, weakens confidence in Haitian institutions. However, he stressed that the electoral process has reached a level of progress not seen in more than a decade : following the decree of October 6, more than 3,500 candidates and more than 35 political groups joined the process. Any change to the electoral calendar, insisted the UN representative, must be based on a realistic assessment of the logistics and the security situation.
Jack Christofides, special representative of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) indicated that the international troops deployed from six countries exceeded 2,000 over the weekend. However, he clarified that operations against armed groups are hampered by a serious shortage of logistics and equipment, particularly in terms of transport, communications systems, vehicles, as well as intelligence and surveillance capabilities. Christofides added that the number of clashes with gangs increased, in one month, from two to 15. He also deplored that 18 of the 26 suspects recently arrested were released due to dysfunctions in the local justice system. Daniela Kroslak, head of the United Nations Office in Haiti, said that troops have doubled since July, thanks to the arrival of units from Bangladesh, Chad, Guatemala and Sri Lanka.
