Key facts
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Haiti on Tuesday.
- Gang violence has displaced 1.5 million people and killed 2,300 this year.
- Guterres visited the headquarters of a new UN-approved gang-suppression force.
- The force includes troops from Jamaica, Chad, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
- Guterres met with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé to discuss elections and security.
- Human Rights Watch called for a UN mission to address root causes of violence.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Haiti amid a severe surge in gang violence, which has paralyzed the nation and led to widespread displacement and casualties. His visit focused on the new gang-suppression force, approved by the UN Security Council, which aims to bolster Haiti's National Police.
Guterres' convoy passed through areas devastated by gang activity, including Cité Soleil, a slum where recent clashes resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. The UN chief observed the dire living conditions of those displaced, many of whom reside in makeshift shelters. He emphasized that while the situation is dire, it can be improved.
During his visit, Guterres met with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé to discuss the government's vision for restoring security and holding elections. Fils-Aimé stressed the need for international support to ensure the gang-suppression force's success and to facilitate a return to democratic rule.
Human Rights Watch issued a letter prior to Guterres' visit, calling for comprehensive UN action that addresses not only security but also the root causes of violence, including protection for victims, pathways for disengagement from criminal groups, and accountability for abuses.