The UN warned on Monday that armed groups in Haiti are adapting their reprisals against civilians as security forces intensify their operations, which has exacerbated the security crisis and led to the indefinite postponement of legislative elections that had been scheduled for December 13.

UN experts on Haiti presented a briefing to the UN Security Council in which they reported that thousands of Haitians were killed in gang-related violence between July and early October, despite intensified operations by security forces. They expressed grave concern regarding armed groups’ capacity to adapt their fighting tactics and attacks against civilians to security forces’ missions, through the resumption of hostage-taking, killings, attacks targeting farmland and public infrastructure, and sexual violence against women and girls.

In addition, the experts noted that despite the deployment of the Gang Suppression Force, a UN-backed multinational security mission, the force remains understaffed, falling short of the 5,550 members authorized by the Security Council. They reported a recent attack that occurred on Sunday on an armored vehicle transporting Salvadoran soldiers as part of the mission, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Concerning the postponed elections, the experts stated that preparations continue, with more than 35 political parties and 3,500 candidates registered. However, they cautioned that setting a new date would be futile without the restoration of stability, stressing that insecurity and mass displacement are hindering the organization of elections.

According to Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN top official in Haiti, security operations alone are insufficient to restore security and achieve lasting stabilization. Therefore, he recommended the permanent restoration of the state’s presence and the development of reintegration and disarmament programmes, particularly for children recruited by gangs.

Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti experienced an armed conflict between armed gangs and security forces. Gangs have since become the de facto authority in many parts of Haiti, especially the capital Port-au-Prince, despite the government’s efforts to restore order and regain control. In 2025, the UN expressed concern about the collapse of state authority in the Caribbean country while gangs expanded their territorial control. In addition to the deterioration of national security, the conflict resulted in a humanitarian crisis, including disease outbreaks and acute food insecurity affecting millions of people.

Since 2022, the UN has implemented a sanctions regime, including an arms embargo and travel bans in order to mitigate escalating violence. The UN deputy disarmament chief, Adedeji Ebo, has warned that cross-border firearms trafficking is fueling the conflict in Haiti and other regions across the world.