The president of the Dominican Republic issued a warning at the U.N. General Assembly regarding the escalating gang violence in neighboring Haiti. President Luis Abinader emphasized the need for urgent action to address the situation, stating that his administration would consider taking 'drastic measures' if the U.N.-backed mission in Haiti fails to effectively combat the violence.
Gangs in Haiti currently control a significant portion of the capital, Port-au-Prince, with their influence expanding following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. The surge in violence has resulted in over 3,600 reported deaths in the first half of this year, marking a substantial increase compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the violence has displaced nearly 700,000 Haitians and prompted thousands to flee the country.
