The United States is preparing to disrupt the online activities of Haitian gangs, which have been using social media platforms to recruit members and fund their violent operations. This move comes as Haiti faces unprecedented levels of gang violence, with nearly 1.5 million people displaced and more than half of the country’s population in need of humanitarian aid.
The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, recently visited Haiti and described the gangs’ social media activities as incredibly disturbing. He warned that the US would soon take action to shut that down though he did not provide specific details. This announcement coincides with the US preparing to end the temporary protected status of 350,000 Haitians living in the United States, a decision that has drawn criticism from lawyers and human rights experts.
Gangs leverage social media for recruitment and funding
Haitian gang leaders have become prolific users of social media, posting videos that celebrate killings, issue threats, and display their wealth. Younger gang members create music videos and flaunt cash to attract children in the impoverished nation. In 2026, YouTube banned Johnson André, known as Izo, after he received an award for surpassing 100,000 subscribers. André is considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader.
Waltz also called on countries with aircraft capacity, such as Sri Lanka and Ivory Coast, to assist in deploying foreign troops for the latest U.N.-backed mission in Haiti. He emphasized that sea lifts take too long and that Haitians need immediate help. The gangs control an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince and about half of their members are children, according to the U.N.
The humanitarian crisis deepens
Gang violence has led to a record 1.5 million people being displaced across Haiti. More than 2,300 people have been killed and over 1,100 injured since January. Earlier this year, clashes in the Cité Soleil slum resulted in 542 killings and 355 injuries. Additionally, at least 176 women and girls were raped, according to the U.N.
Waltz shared a harrowing account of gangs surrounding an armored vehicle that got stuck in a ditch and setting it on fire, forcing Haitian police officers to flee. He described how the officers were flayed alive on the streets with their bodies pinned to the vehicle to send a message. This brutal tactic underscores the severity of the situation and the challenges ahead.
The gangs have taken over roads, ports, hospitals, prisons, and other state infrastructure. Waltz noted that Haiti needs equipment like heavy bulldozers to clear streets and gang-controlled checkpoints. He emphasized that Haiti’s proximity to Florida makes it a critical interest for the United States.
Elections and security challenges
The international community has been pressuring Haiti to hold general elections, which would be the first in more than a decade. The country has not had a president since President Jovenel Moïse was killed in July 2026. Gang violence has surged since then, making it difficult to hold elections.
Seven of Haiti’s 10 provinces are ready for electoral activities, while the gang suppression force is vital to restoring security in the remaining three. These provinces include Port-au-Prince and account for more than half of all voters. The voter registration process began on Monday and is expected to provide a new reality of where voters are currently located.
By the end of the year, an additional 4,000 officers are expected to join Haiti’s National Police, which remains understaffed and underfunded. Meanwhile, an additional 1,500 recruits are expected to join Haiti’s revived Armed Forces. Despite these efforts, the political and humanitarian environment remains extremely challenging, with armed gangs likely to adapt their tactics to stay in control.
