Introduction
International security issues involve criminal activities that jeopardize multinational stability and security. The problems impose unparalleled hurdles for the global community, even as the world becomes increasingly globalized. The issues are prevalent in regions that are weak economically and institutionally, which exposes the area to frequent disturbances. This increases instability and threats to citizens, which presents additional challenges for concerned parties worldwide.
International security issues are linked mainly to criminal organizations, such as gangs that aim to have control, seize power, and exercise authority using illegal means. Haiti is a good example of a nation ravaged by criminal gangs that have caused havoc and destruction to the people. The gangs have terrorized the state, destabilized the country, and caused major crises affecting public health, security, and economic and political stability, aggravating violent confrontations that can mainly be solved through international efforts and cooperation.
Background
Haiti has struggled with the emergence of informal armed forces that control a sizeable part of the country. For over two decades, some key parts of Haiti have been pushed to the peripheries of the state and society. Specific regions of the country have evolved into culturally and sociologically self-subsistent areas with their unique dynamics. The emergence of gangs has been fueled by economic, political, and security stakes playing out specifically in the capital.
According to the United Nations (00:02:13-00:03:15), the violence has displaced 692 criminal incidents reported in the first quarter of 2022. These include kidnappings, homicide, rape, and lynching. In the same period in 2023, the number of criminal activities more than doubled to 1,647, the highest figure reported since 2005. Despite concerted efforts to save the country from total collapse, the gangs continue to take advantage of the poor state to expand their control and cause ravages to the people.
Definition/Explanation
A gang generally refers to a group of three or more people who adopt a collective identity formally or informally. In the specific context of Haiti, gangs are characterized by the commission of several criminal acts by using violence to impose fear or intimidate other people. The gangs are highly sophisticated, well-organized, and coordinated in using violence to impose their authority in targeted areas. They generate their funds from engaging in unlawful dealings, such as money laundering, theft, gun, drug, human trafficking, sex trade, prostitution, and fraud.
Root Causes (Direct and Underlying Causes)
Haiti has endured significant pain and suffering occasioned by internal strife and natural disasters, especially earthquakes. Rukovets (3) states that in 2018 and 2019, the country witnessed compounded challenges ranging from the economy to politics. The Haitians grappled with a rising cost of living and instances of poor governance relating to a political crisis and social insurgency. The people have been exposed to restricted access to basic goods and services, including food, clean water, electricity, fuel, and medical supplies.
Insecurity has further risked the lives of citizens following the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) from peacekeeping initiatives, having completed its appointment. Haitians were exposed to additional economic challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, which aggravated the sprouting of gang-related activities. For instance, a gang called G9 Family and Allies was formed after a merger of several armed groups. The gang established itself in the cosmopolitan area, dominating significant developments in downtown Port-au-Prince.
The emergence of gangs has been further facilitated by an incompetent, poorly staffed, and ill-equipped Haitian National Police force. The force continues to struggle as officers die, get dismissed, resign, or engage in violence and criminality. The United Nations (00:03:15 – 00:03:43) notes that the police force has significantly reduced from 14,772 to about 13,500, where around 9,000 perform police duties. A large population of poor citizens also characterizes the Haitian society, while only a small section of the elite controls over 90 percent of the country’s capital.
Extreme poverty and marginalization of residents in impoverished neighborhoods facilitate recruiting people, including child soldiers, into armed gangs (Rukovets, 9). The gangs survive by engaging in the trafficking of drugs and firearms as they use their power to impose their authority over critical infrastructure, including food storage facilities, the judicial system, police, prisons, ports, and major highways. Therefore, the country remains beautiful to drug traffickers who sabotage any efforts to save the country from political misery, starvation, and limited access to essential services.
Impact and Threats
The gangs have continued to enhance their strategies and skills in applying sophisticated techniques to ravage the country. They have caused increased levels of violence, leaving Haiti in paralysis. They obstruct people’s freedom of movement and access to goods and humanitarian assistance, leading to the resurgence of food insecurity and diseases.
The gangs have caused the displacement of people as citizens flee from their homes, with only a few managing to find refuge in organized and spontaneous shelters. The events have disrupted learning activities nationwide as students cannot attend school. Thousands of people have been killed, including the country’s President Jovenel Moise, who was assassinated in his home, worsening the already volatile political environment and insecurity (Rukovets, 10).
Rival hangs further engage in resurgent clashes characterized by days of fighting in the city and other parts of the country. The clashes lead to additional deaths and serious injuries to people, as others are forced to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. The situation remains threatening in and out of the country, with many kidnappings recorded. The kidnappers mainly target, directly or indirectly, UN personnel and other foreigners.
Measures to Mitigate this Risk
As the locals struggle with the ravaging effects of gang violence that threatens to take over the control of Haiti, they have repeatedly opted to resist through demonstrations. Demonstrating empowers the citizenry to raise their voice against rising insecurity, poor governance, and basic goods and services shortage. The move can tone down the cruelty of gangs as people’s power can attract reactions from the authorities and other organizations.
However, Haiti is ravaged by gang violence that is underscored by worsening humanitarian situation, violence, and instability to a level that may become a failed State (Rukovets, 9). The country can’t defeat the highly sophisticated and well-organized gangs at such a low moment. In this case, the best solution is to seek a higher level of engagement.
The United Nations (00:01:57 – 00:02:13) proposes the necessity for dialogue to restore democratic institutions in the country, focusing on addressing the high level of insecurity in the country. The gangs fight amongst themselves to have control over the capital with limited or no police opposition. There is a need to invest in building the capacity of the Haitian police force through recruitment and providing essential equipment. International support must bolster local efforts to contain the deteriorating security situation.
Reflection
I consider that the gang violence in Haiti has been perpetrated as different groups struggle to seize the economic and political control of the country. The problem is that too many gangs are involved in causing the security crisis. This explains the incidents of gangs fighting each other, which is counterproductive. In the process, the ordinary citizens are displaced and lack essential goods and services.
The problem in the country has been worsened by deteriorating political, social, and economic conditions. The country may be unable to escape the security problem involving international networks. In the current era of globalization, I believe that there may be external interests that may seek to benefit from illicit trade in drugs, firearms, and human trafficking. It is time for the international community to act, as only a coordinated global effort can help arrest the situation and restore stability in Haiti.
Conclusion
Haiti faces a serious risk of being overtaken by gangs that have terrorized the nation, disrupted stability, and inflicted severe harm on its citizens. The gangs emerged following the poor nation’s weak economic, political, and social system. Many gangs operate from cosmopolitan areas and control main routes in the capital city. They have caused more misery for displaced people as others die due to the fighting, hunger, and disease. Organizations established to help contain the crisis have not achieved much, such that large-scale international involvement is needed to arrest the situation.
Work Cited
Rukovets, Olga. “Gang Violence, Cholera, and Poverty: Tumultuous Times for Neurology in Haiti.” Neurology Today, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 1-23, Web.
“Haiti: ‘gang violence is expanding at an alarming rate’ – Security Council Briefing.” YouTube, uploaded by United Nations, Web.