The small Caribbean nation of Haiti has seen a surge in gang violence over the past few years. According to the Global Organized Crime Index, there is a high level of mafia-style groups (8.5 out of 10). These gangs have captured large swathes of the economy.

With names like G-Pep, 400 Mawozo, Baz Pilate, and G9, these gangs compete for control, leading this conflict to be described as the "world’s most dangerous gang war".

Haiti has the highest levels of criminality in the Caribbean. Arms trafficking, human trafficking, cocaine trafficking, and financial crimes are all over 7.5 out of 10. More troubling still is that its resilience score is very low - at 2.46 out of 10, which places Haiti at 174 out of 193 countries.

In this episode we will discuss the criminal governance of the gangs, and how difficult it is for civil society to operate in the country.

Presenter: Thin Lei Win

Guest: A civil society member in Haiti.

Links:

Haiti Country Profile

(Podcast) UN & Organized Crime Podcast - Gang violence and the human rights and security crisis in Haiti

(GI Paper) Gangs of Haiti: Expansion, power and an escalating crisis

(GI paper) Gang control and security vacuums: Assessing gender-based violence in Cité Soleil, Haiti

(GI Blog) New sanctions target Haiti gangsters

The Global Organized Crime Index

Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime

Additional Links

https://haitiantimes.com/gangs-in-haiti-a-deeper-look/

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/haiti-gang-violence-crisis-g9-g-pep-1234871794/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/21/haiti-jimmy-barbecue-cherizier-overthrow-prime-minister-ariel-henry

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/haiti-gangs-food-access-farming