Top U.S. Diplomat Says Visit to Haiti Was Full of 'Painful Anecdotes' as Gangs Continue to Control the Country

A man carries a child as residents flee a neighborhood after gang violence in the area the night before, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on April 20, 2026. (Credit: Via Getty Images)

The situation in Haiti remains dire. Years of political and social instability continue to push the Caribbean nation into a deeper crisis, and although the United Nations says there are "signs of hope," others disagree.

Mike Waltz, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, visited Haiti earlier this month. In addition to saying the international community remains committed to combating Haitian gangs and helping restore territory and stability across the country, Waltz said his visit was also marked by "painful anecdotes" that underscored the reality Haitians continue to face.