By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Senior U.N. officials have issued a stark warning about the escalating violence in Haiti, stating that gangs have gained “near-total control” of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The gangs have expanded their attacks into previously peaceful areas and are establishing “parallel governance structures” due to a weakened state presence. The U.N. has noted a rise in sexual violence and extrajudicial killings amid the ongoing crisis. Despite the presence of a U.N.-backed mission, which is understaffed and underfunded, the gangs continue to acquire more powerful weapons, and the situation is worsening.
Read the original article here
Haiti’s gangs have “near-total control” of the capital as violence escalates, the UN says, and it’s hard not to see why that statement feels so deeply disheartening. It’s a clear illustration of a failing state, one where the basic functions of government, like ensuring security and protecting citizens, have crumbled. It paints a picture of a nation struggling under the weight of escalating violence, a situation that, frankly, feels increasingly dire.
The recurring sentiment is that a major military intervention is the only real path to recovery. But that’s a solution that’s currently seen as unlikely to happen. The international community seems to be steering clear, preoccupied with other global crises and unwilling to commit the resources and manpower needed for a sustained intervention in Haiti. The proposed “US sector, French sector, etc.” approach, while seemingly logical, requires a level of commitment that, sadly, nobody is currently volunteering.
The history of outside involvement in Haiti is, unfortunately, a long and complex one, and not one that inspires a lot of confidence. There’s a lot of frustration about past interventions, especially regarding US foreign policy. Some of the most significant events in Haiti’s history are tainted by foreign meddling. The effects are seen in the current dysfunction and misery, and it makes the situation that much harder to unravel.
The consensus leans towards a particularly bleak scenario. The suggestion that one gang will eventually emerge victorious, consolidating power to form a new proto-government, is a dark but realistic outlook. This path, as many suggest, will lead to a lot of bloodshed. It’s a scenario that unfortunately aligns with the historical patterns of how many nations have been formed, with the most violent group rising to the top.
There’s a sharp critique leveled at the UN’s role, with many feeling that it is unable, or perhaps unwilling, to enact the necessary changes. Statements like “UN says” are seen as empty, a way of acknowledging the obvious without any real action. The UN’s ability to make a difference is questioned, with its power seemingly dwarfed by the scale of the crisis. It feels like there is a gap between what needs to be done and what can realistically be achieved.
The absence of a functioning government, the lack of a monopoly on force, is at the heart of the problem. Without someone in charge, who genuinely wants to govern and is capable of enforcing laws, enacting any plan for improvement is practically impossible. The situation boils down to a battle for control, where gangs are the only ones capable of establishing order.
The recent actions and policies of the United States haven’t helped, with the deportation of Haitian refugees being a prime example. And it’s easy to understand the frustration, especially for those who had sought refuge in the US, only to have their safety and security taken away.
The fact that Haiti’s gangs are well-armed with powerful firearms from the US is another critical factor, and an obstacle to any potential peacekeeping efforts. Peacekeepers are facing an uphill battle, outmanned and outgunned. It’s no surprise that such efforts have been called into question. It’s a reminder that solutions need to be comprehensive and include the disarmament of gangs to have any impact.
The lack of a legitimate government combined with centuries of foreign interference have created a situation that seems, to many, almost beyond repair. The idea of a libertarian state, or any government failing to control force, is exactly what Haiti is, and it’s a stark lesson. Without a major power stepping in, the future of Haiti will depend on the gangs.