Haiti is currently facing a political and social crisis. The rest of the world has fallen silent in terms of providing necessary aid and military action to help the victims of Haiti.  Haiti is a backsliding democracy which has faced several public health and natural disaster crises. Earthquakes, cholera outbreaks, and a corrupt system has allowed for the rise of gang and gang violence to create havoc in the nation. An already politically weak nation, the gangs G-Pep and G-9 have been fighting amongst themselves for the land of Haiti, specifically Port-au-Prince right now. More than half of the capital has been taken over by both of these gangs.  There were many key developments in the past year, including an introduction of a transitional court to begin the process of new elections for Prime Minster. The crisis in Haiti began in early 2018, with fuel shortages, which led prices to jump almost 50%. During this time, humanitarian aid was blocked off from the country as they were in lockdown for almost two months. Currently, the United Nations Security Council voted to send a multinational force to provide security to Haiti. Criminal and gang violence has continued to rise, the UN saw 4,789 homicides in Haiti in 2023, which was a 119% increase over 2022. Government corruption continues to rise as elections are unfair and not free and are rigged with little input from the members of society. Kidnappings are very prevalent to the point where they have risen 83% in the past year. There has been little success in the peaceful transfer of power in Haiti. There is a lack of representation of women in politics, as well as societal norms that limit them from attaining power. Other minorities, such as the LGBTQ+ community are not accepted or represented in society. Another rising problem facing Haiti’s gang violence, is the lack of functional hospitals and neonatal care. A container carrying essentials for newborns, including educational content and water supplies was stolen by the local gangs in Port-au-Prince. Over 260 humanitarian containers were stolen by gangs, with conditions only worsening for children being born in Haiti. Three out of every four women and children do not have the access they need to medical attention. There are only two hospitals currently with a surgical staff and floor. Local police have been trying to regain area lost to the gangs by seizing firearms and unblocking the roads. Currently in Haiti, all ports as well as the international airport are being blocked off by gangs. Hospitals are running out of blood, but a bigger threat to society is the lack of food coming in, and gas stations are running out of fuel. The only way to leave the country of Haiti is to fly a private helicopter out. Seats costs upwards of $10,000, and only those of diplomatic status and well-off families will be able to escape. As this country continues to backslide it shows the massive wealth inequality, as well as the lack of protections for Haitian citizens.

On February 29th, an intense burst of violence was executed, burning down police stations and murdering civilians.  This same day current acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry left the country to meet with Kenya to discuss deployment of security that would be provided by the United Nations. The violence took a turn and ended up with twelve bodies found in Petion-Ville, an affluent neighborhood. These gangs have no mercy and no issue with attacking any and every one regardless of status or wealth. On March 3^rd, a state of emergency was declared by the government. Currently there is only one active hospital in Port- au-Prince, and a majority of hospitals workers are not returning to work due to the threat of violence. It is an estimated that four out of every ten deaths in Haiti is caused by violence. Gang violence has always been prevalent in Haiti, especially under the dictatorship of Francois Duvalier, who created a paramilitary group known as Tonton Macoutes to shut down any backlash on government. Since the end of his regime, violence has only continued to escalate. While it is uncertain what gang was responsible for the death of former President Jovenel Moise, it is a known fact that his assignation was coordinated by one of the many gangs in Haiti. A leader of the gang the G-9, is a former police officer, Jimmy Cherizier, who was fired from the police force. He has become, Prime Minister Henry’s most outspoken rival. The G-9 gang has been fighting a brutal war with the G-Pep, often thought to be behind the assignation of President Moise. Both gang leaders called for the resignation of Prime Minster Henry, as they launched their attack on Haiti while he was in Kenya. On March 3rd, armed gangs stormed two major prisons in Port-au-Prince and Croix des Bouquets, where at least twelve people were killed, and 3,700 inmates escaped. A national night curfew is being enforced; however, this is not stopping the attacks on the police, several of which have been killed. 

The crisis in Haiti started because of the Venezuelan Oil Crisis, which in turn led to Haiti lacking oil and the rising of prices. 95% of export revenue in Venezuela relied on income from oil. The reliance on other countries for material exports leads to a weakness within the country. Relying heavily on one country to provide resources is dangerous due to unpredictable consequences such as seen in this example. R.A Dahl, writes in Polyarchy: Participation & Oppositionabout democratization and what eight steps are required to have a democracy. Currently, Haiti is suffering from an autocratic regime. However, this is through no fault of its own. While corruption is high in government, the threat of violence among citizen’s is too high to not have restrictive laws in terms of lockdowns and mandatory curfews. In “Unwelcome Change: Understanding, Evaluating, and Extending Theories of Democratic Backsliding” by Ellen Lust and David Waldner, they speak to the idea of the three legs of democratic backsliding.There are electoral procedures, civil/political rights and liberties, and accountability in government. While there have been attempts for elections, none have yet to happen. Additionally, the political and civil rights and liberties of citizens are squandered by not only the government, but by the gangs who controlled more than 50% the capital in Haiti. The government has attempted to crack down on the violence with mandatory curfews, and more policing, but the violence has only continued to escalate. Everyone is a victim of the system in Haiti, a failed government which lacks the ability to protect their citizens from terrorist attacks.