UN Security Council Expands Arms Embargo on Haiti Amid Rising Gang Violence

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to expand its arms embargo on Haiti, responding to escalating concerns over rampant gang violence in the country. 

The decision comes as armed gangs continue to tighten their grip on the Caribbean nation, which is facing severe instability.

The expanded embargo, adopted in a resolution on Friday, now covers all types of arms and ammunition entering Haiti. 

The measure aims to curb the illicit trafficking of weapons that fuel the ongoing violence. The resolution also authorizes the 193 UN member nations to take “appropriate steps” to prevent the diversion of arms and related materials into Haiti.

In addition to the arms embargo, the UN resolution extends existing sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes on gang members and criminals on the Security Council's blacklist.

Haiti has long struggled with instability, but the situation has deteriorated sharply since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. 

His death left a power vacuum that gangs have exploited, and it is estimated that these armed groups now control up to 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince. 

This unchecked influence has led to increased violence, including rapes, killings, and kidnappings, prompting the rise of civilian vigilante groups.

A significant source of illegal arms in Haiti is the United States, with many weapons entering the country via straw purchases—where individuals buy guns from licensed dealers but conceal the real buyer. 

According to reports, more than 50 percent of these weapons are handguns, while about 37 percent are rifles. The UN resolution also urges the Haitian government to tighten its borders to prevent further illicit arms trafficking. 

Additionally, the Security Council voted earlier this month to extend the mandate of a Kenya-led multinational force, which is assisting the Haitian National Police in their efforts to combat the gangs.

The expanded embargo and ongoing international support aim to address Haiti's deepening crisis, but the challenges posed by gang control and the influx of illegal weapons remain significant obstacles to restoring peace and stability in the country.