HAMILTON, Canada

The UN warned Wednesday that Haiti has reached a "critical juncture" in its efforts to restore democratic institutions, as political fragmentation, escalating gang violence and deepening humanitarian needs threaten to derail the country's fragile transition.

"Haiti has entered a critical juncture in its process of restoring democratic institutions," Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), told a Security Council session on Haiti.

"As we start a new year, there are high expectations for tangible progress on the political and security fronts in Haiti to bring the transition to a close," he said, stressing that "political responsibilities must be assumed, security efforts sustained, and international engagement must remain focused and coherent."

Ruiz Massieu urged national stakeholders to overcome internal divisions, warning: "There is an overriding need for national stakeholders to strive to contain political fragmentation, to cast aside their differences, to sustain institutional continuity and to focus on the organization of elections."

"Let us be clear: the country has no time to waste on prolonged internal fighting," he added, calling on authorities, political parties, civil society, the private sector and community leaders to work together.

He said steps taken in recent months to advance electoral preparations were "particularly encouraging," highlighting "the introduction of new requirements on women’s representation on candidate lists, coupled with financial incentives," which he described as "an important step toward addressing longstanding barriers to political inclusion."

On security, Ruiz Massieu warned that gangs continue to mount coordinated attacks and control key economic corridors and agricultural regions, fueling displacement and stretching police and humanitarian capacity.

"Intentional homicides in 2025 increased by nearly 20% compared with 7,574 in 2024," he said.

While noting that "sustained pressure on gangs has yielded results," he cautioned that "the challenge now lies in expanding and sustaining security gains as well as creating conditions for the delivery of basic services to communities. Without this, security improvements risk reversal."

He also highlighted the recruitment of children by armed groups, saying gangs "continue to recruit and exploit children by manipulating grievances and daily suffering of ordinary citizens from marginalized neighborhoods."

On the humanitarian needs, Ruiz Massieu said: "Approximately 6.4 million people require humanitarian assistance in Haiti, placing the country among the largest humanitarian caseloads in the region," adding that the response remains underfunded.

John Brandolino, acting executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), told the Council that Haiti's crisis has become "more violent, more systemic, and more embedded," pointing to a consolidation of gangs that has strengthened their resilience.

"Against this backdrop, it is important to note that Haitian authorities are taking action," he said, citing recent police operations against gang leaders and weapons storage sites, adding: "UNODC commends these efforts."

Brandolino linked organized violence to arms trafficking and illicit financial flows, warning that private security companies and informal self-defense groups are driving the illicit firearms trade.

"In 2025 alone, Haiti’s Financial Intelligence Unit processed nearly 1.5 million transaction reports," he said.

Both officials warned that while progress is possible, it remains fragile and reversible, with the period ahead crucial for elections, stabilization and humanitarian relief.