Security Council told Haiti gangs are spreading into rural areas as elections stay on hold

United Nations officials told the Security Council that armed gangs in Haiti are adapting to stronger security operations, stepping up reprisals against civilians and moving into rural areas. The Secretary-General's latest report, as summarised by UN News, says the gangs are using hostage-taking, intimidation and reprisals to hold territory and challenge the state.

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Haiti, gave the Council the casualty figures. UN News reported that 1,123 people were killed and 440 injured in gang-related violence between July and early October. The UN's press office said that over 1,000 people were killed and over 100 abducted between July and September. The report counts 689 women and girls as reportedly raped by gang members in July and August, and 87 per cent of the victims suffered collective rape. Security force operations account for 52 per cent of those killed or wounded since the beginning of July, or 808 people, including 148 not associated with gangs.

The elections planned for 13 December have been postponed indefinitely. Haiti has not held national elections since 2016. Mr. Ruiz Massieu said more than 35 political parties and groupings and 3,500 candidates have registered. As of 5 October, only 759,257 potential voters were on the lists, out of an estimated electorate of 6.5 million. He warned: “The repeated announcement of electoral dates without a true assessment of their feasibility only serves to weaken the credibility of Haitian institutions.” The sources give no new election date.

Jack Christofides, Special Representative for the Gang Suppression Force, said the Force now exceeds 2,000 personnel from 6 countries, just over one third of its authorised strength. UN News, citing the report, gave 1,563 uniformed members as of 12 October against 5,550 authorised by the Security Council. The sources do not explain the difference. Mr. Christofides warned that “sending soldiers and police forward without the right tools puts both our personnel and Haitian civilians at risk”. He said “Clearing gangs from an area is an important step, but it is not an end in itself”.

Daniela Kroslak, head of the United Nations Support Office in Haiti, said her office provides transport, communications, fuel, rations and medical support to the Force.

El Salvador's delegate condemned an ambush on four Salvadoran aviation technicians serving with the Force outside Port-au-Prince. She said the attackers used firearms and explosive devices and set the vehicle on fire. She said efforts continue to establish contact with the technicians and learn where they are.

The representative of the United States, addressing gang leaders, said: “If you think that you are going to intimidate this coalition into retreat, you have made a terrible mistake.” He also said: “This Council owes the Haitian people better than business as usual”.

France's representative said 5,700 people have been killed since the beginning of 2026, 1.5 million are displaced and 5.8 million face acute food insecurity. He urged travel bans and asset freezes against those financing gangs. The Dominican Republic's representative said violence is spreading into rural areas and new departments. He welcomed the Council's six-month mandate renewal and urged a longer extension in March. Denmark's representative said child recruitment by gangs has risen by 200 per cent since 2025. Haiti's delegate urged full implementation of resolution 2831 (2026) to halt illicit arms flows.

The sources report no Council decision at this meeting. UN News also reports that the UN's 2026 humanitarian plan is only about half funded.