Doctors Without Borders announced the permanent closure of its emergency care center in Port-au-Prince due to escalating violence, which has left the city 90% controlled by gangs. The center, which treated over 100,000 patients since 2021, had been repeatedly targeted, including an attack in March 2025 that led to its temporary closure. This closure, along with the shuttering of over 60% of the capital’s health facilities, exacerbates the humanitarian crisis where gang violence has caused a surge in deaths, injuries, and displacement of over 1.4 million people.
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As Sweden combats rising gang violence and prison overcrowding, the nation is shifting its criminal justice system towards a more punitive approach. To alleviate overcrowding, Sweden is preparing to outsource prison places to Estonia, with an agreement for up to 600 spaces. Experts predict a dramatic increase in the prison population, potentially reaching 41,000 by 2034, marking a departure from Sweden’s historical focus on rehabilitation. Critics express concerns that this move, along with proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility and establish youth prisons, reflects a trend towards mass incarceration and a disregard for reintegration.
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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.
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Carlos Cartagena López, a prominent El Salvador gang leader, gave an interview detailing his gang’s secret pact with President Nayib Bukele, revealing how they allegedly helped Bukele rise to power in exchange for favors. This pact, involving warnings of police operations and community projects, allegedly included gang intimidation of political opponents to secure Bukele’s electoral victories. López’s release from prison, despite accusations of homicide and extortion, further underscores the clandestine nature of this relationship. The revelation comes amidst a brutal government crackdown resulting in tens of thousands of arrests under inhumane conditions and hundreds of deaths, highlighting the ongoing consequences of this political alliance. The interview adds crucial details to existing evidence of Bukele’s dealings with gangs, underscoring the urgent need for further investigation into this complex situation.
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Montgomery Police Department investigated five separate shootings within two hours on Thursday night, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. A 25-year-old man, Samuel Giles, was fatally shot on Manley Drive in a double shooting; the other victim sustained life-threatening injuries. Other incidents included shootings on Troy Highway (life-threatening injuries), North Pass Road (non-life-threatening), and Larkin Lane (non-life-threatening). Police are actively seeking information from the public regarding these crimes.
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El Salvador claims to share comprehensive intelligence with the US on individuals targeted for deportation, providing complete records before formal requests are made. This process, according to Security and Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, is not random, with deportees’ criminal records in El Salvador justifying their imprisonment. However, the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, deported despite a US judge’s ruling, highlights concerns about due process and the accuracy of El Salvador’s intelligence, with his legal team denying gang affiliation. The Salvadoran government maintains its claims, citing extensive files on suspected gang members, even while acknowledging that some innocent individuals have been detained due to the state of emergency.
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On New Year’s Day, four suspects opened fire on a crowd of 15 outside a Queens concert hall, injuring ten teenagers attending a vigil for a recently deceased 16-year-old. The suspects, who police believe are gang-affiliated, fled in a light-colored sedan with New Jersey plates. All victims are expected to recover from non-life-threatening injuries, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. The incident, while seemingly isolated to the venue, has prompted renewed calls for stricter gun control measures.
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A mass shooting occurred outside the Amazura event hall in Queens on January 1, 2025, injuring at least ten people. Two to three suspects opened fire on a crowd of approximately eighty people gathered for a private party celebrating the birthday of a recently deceased gang member. The shooting took place near the 103rd Precinct, and several victims sought treatment independently at a local hospital. Police are investigating and searching for at least two suspects currently at large. Further updates are expected from NYPD officials.
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Six individuals, including a 40-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter, sustained injuries in a Bronx convenience store shooting. Two gunmen, described as wearing a black Nike sweatsuit and a gray hoodie, respectively, opened fire, using the mother and daughter as human shields. The four other victims, males aged 18-21, suffered gunshot wounds to their extremities. Police are currently investigating the motive and seeking information from the public.
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At least 184 people were killed in Cité Soleil, Port-au-Prince, over the weekend, bringing the year’s death toll to an estimated 5,000. A gang leader, blaming Vodou practitioners for his son’s illness, orchestrated a massacre targeting elderly individuals and Vodou followers. The violence, which included mutilation and burning of bodies, highlights the escalating gang control in Haiti, exacerbated by political instability and the ongoing presence of armed groups. This incident adds to the existing humanitarian crisis, with over 700,000 Haitians internally displaced.
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John Q. Hosedrinker