The fight for change and reform has always been a huge theme throughout history that has toppled empires and kingdoms. And under every fallen regime lies the most highlighted figure: the rebels. But what’s sometimes forgotten under their noble causes is the carnage and suffering that has laid beneath their feet. And that is especially true for the situation in Haiti. Around three thousand miles from California, lies a country swarming with gangs who thirst to topple the sitting government. And their violence…spares no one.
Haitian gangs have always been an enemy to the government, but over the past few weeks their violence has shot up to a max due to their number one enemy, Ariel Henry. Following the assassination of President Moise in 2021, Ariel Henry took charge as Prime Minister and claimed that he was going to step down by February. However, with the United States backing him, he committed to hold elections eighteen months later in August of 2025 because he wanted to make sure the security situation would improve before someone new took over. But Haitian gangs were furious and decided to take action for themselves.
Around 80% of the capital is controlled by gangs where they fight among themselves and against the government for more power and money. Division between gangs has been a huge factor to keeping the peace as different gangs keep each other in check. But most recently, Haitian gangs have started to unite against the government. Their cause and actions have become centralized and are an enormous threat to the stabilization of Haiti. They want to elect a man called Jimmy Chérizier as prime minister and in order to do so, have launched massive coordinated attacks on police precincts and government buildings.
The most devastating actions the Haitian gangs have committed were the freeing of prisoners and the attack on the international airport. Whilst attacking multiple prisons, Haitian gangs have freed all except ninety-eight of 3, 798 inmates at a penitentiary and have freed 1,033 inmates at the Croix-des-Bouquets prison. They have unleashed chaos on the prison systems and have let loose criminals on the streets of Haiti. Additionally, heavily armed gangs tried to seize control of Haiti’s international airport, Port Au Prince, in hopes of controlling it. During the attack, gang members exchanged gunfire with many police officers and soldiers.
But the people who are suffering the most are ordinary Haitian citizens. Death and violence have become a natural incident on the street and many innocent lives have been lost to the turmoil. However, Haitians are still furious about the poverty, hunger, and violence, they have experienced under Ariel Henry’s rule and believe that the gangs are their only hope for change. But that also doesn’t stop them from despising the death and destruction they have brought to their homes, schools, and livelihoods.
Nevertheless, the situation in Haiti is a dark and bleak one. Wrung with cruelty and hatred, destruction fights destruction as the gangs fight with the government. But somewhere, hope lies around the corner as dreamers dream of a Haiti filled with peace.
