Description: The latest report by the UN’s Security Council stated that Haitian gang violence has recently shown some degree of suppression, however, the gangs have started to adapt to measures and tactics implemented by the Haitian police, self – defense militias and private contractors. Gang leaders have especially undertaken high degree of precautionary measures such as avoiding public appearances and decreased social media presence. Larger account of gang members have been dispersed in the sub – urban areas, where they have also relocated a large portion of their criminal operations. More influential gangs were reported to have infiltrated the civilian population, exploiting the large number of casualties inflicted by drone strikes over the past year which were mostly conducted by private military companies operating in the country. Recruitment of children has also escalated in the past couple of months as the economic crisis continues to spread.
Impact: The gang crisis in Haiti is unlikely to deescalate in the upcoming period considering the level of adaptation that the gangs have undertaken to counteract operational activities by the police force, local militias and private contractors. Economically, the country has a collapsed system which the gangs exploit to their favor as they control most of the illicit trading corridors and have access to larger amount of financial means to expand recruitment, procurement of equipment and enforce influence. The UN’s Gang Suppression Force is still awaiting implementation, with the first Chadian troops having arrived at the begging of this month. Gangs are expected to prevail in the short – term, however, joint efforts by the police, private military contractors and local self – defense militias would likely be able to regain some territorial control in the mid – term.