The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has pledged its continued support for Haiti’s fragile transitional government as the nation grapples with escalating gang violence and deepening political instability.
In a statement released on Thursday, CARICOM acknowledged the severe challenges facing Haiti, where gangs have taken control of large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other regions.
As these criminal organizations grow in power, they have intensified violence, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents from their homes and further destabilizing an already struggling nation.
With the situation worsening, CARICOM emphasized its commitment to helping Haiti restore peace, security, and democratic governance.
“The pressure for Haiti’s transition to a new, democratically elected government grows by the day,” CARICOM said in its statement.
“The people of Haiti deserve a stable and secure environment, and we stand ready to assist in any way we can to ensure that Haiti’s political transition continues, despite the many obstacles.”
Haiti is in the grips of a devastating security crisis. In recent days, a coalition of gangs known as Viv Ansanm has expanded its territory, threatening one of the last remaining pockets of relative peace in Port-au-Prince.
Residents in the Solino and Nazon neighborhoods fled in panic earlier this week as the violence reached their doorsteps. Many carried their belongings in makeshift bags, as they sought safety from the gunfire and lawlessness now sweeping through the capital.
In addition to the growing territorial control by gangs, reports of widespread kidnapping, extortion, and sexual violence have emerged, with more than 700,000 people displaced by the conflict. The United Nations has warned of a dire humanitarian crisis, with food insecurity reaching alarming levels and approximately 6,000 people facing famine-level hunger.
The breakdown in security has been exacerbated by political infighting within the transitional government. This week, Prime Minister Garry Conille was removed from office after just a few months in power, a move that underscores the fragile nature of the country’s leadership. As violence escalates, Haiti’s political leaders are divided, and the promised foreign security mission to stabilize the country has made little headway.
Despite these setbacks, CARICOM has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Haiti’s political transition and the restoration of democratic institutions. The regional organization stressed that the solution to Haiti’s crises must come from within, with the Haitian people at the center of efforts to reclaim peace and governance.
“CARICOM remains steadfast in its belief that the resolution of Haiti’s problems must be homegrown and driven by the Haitian people,” the statement reads. “However, we stand ready to assist in facilitating dialogue and ensuring that all parties play their part in restoring stability, strengthening democratic institutions, and holding free and fair elections.”
CARICOM’s statement highlights the urgent need for cohesion among Haiti’s leaders as they work toward organizing elections under the transitional framework. The regional body emphasized that the country must adhere to its agreed-upon timeline for elections by November 2025—an essential step in restoring constitutional order and legitimacy.
The stakes for Haiti could not be higher. As the country’s political leadership flounders, the spread of gang violence threatens to overwhelm the state’s ability to respond. Without decisive action, Haiti risks falling further into chaos, potentially spiraling into a more entrenched conflict that could have serious implications for the entire region.
CARICOM has made it clear that it stands by Haiti in this critical moment, but the path forward will require not only external support but also internal unity and a renewed commitment from Haiti’s leadership. The recent departure of Prime Minister Conille has brought to the forefront the need for strong, accountable governance, and CARICOM’s statement underscores that Haiti’s political actors must work together to meet the challenge.
As gangs continue to gain ground, the international community is watching closely to see whether Haiti’s transitional government can overcome its internal divisions and implement the reforms needed to restore order. For CARICOM, the stakes are clear: the success of Haiti’s transition is critical not only to the future of the country but also to the stability of the wider Caribbean region.
CARICOM’s continued engagement with Haiti is a vital lifeline, but the road ahead remains fraught with obstacles. The fight against gangs, the restoration of law and order, and the holding of free elections by 2025 will require a coordinated effort from all sectors of Haitian society, with CARICOM providing necessary support and facilitation.
As the gangs solidify their hold over the country and political divisions threaten to paralyze the government, Haiti stands at a crossroads. CARICOM’s message is clear: the time for action is now, and the future of Haiti depends on the ability of its leaders, and its regional partners, to come together in the pursuit of peace and democratic renewal.
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