Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
October 17, 2025 Peace and security
Despite a three-year-old UN embargo, an estimated 270,000 to 500,000 illegal weapons—from pistols to military-grade semiautomatic rifles—are circulating in Haiti. Most of this arsenal is in the hands of armed gangs terrorizing the capital, Port-au-Prince, and its surrounding areas.
Haiti is currently in a state of profound security crisis. Rival criminal groups are waging a bloody battle for control of the capital, resorting to extortion, sexual violence, kidnapping for ransom, and murder.
In 2022, UN member states agreed to an arms embargo on Haiti, so why isn't it working?
© UNOCHA/J. Clark
Violence claims thousands of Haitian lives every year.
How many guns are there in Haiti?
Haiti produces neither weapons nor ammunition. However, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, up to half a million illegal weapons circulate in the country. These weapons are in abundance not only among gangs but also among numerous self-defense groups trying to protect their neighborhoods from violence.
In the capital region, with a population of approximately 2.6 million, the consequences of this state of affairs are catastrophic: in 2024 alone, more than 5,600 people were killed as a result of gang activity. The UN has documented mass killings, kidnappings, rapes, destruction of property, and blockages of access to basic services – particularly healthcare and education.
© CPB/HSI
Weapons seized by US law enforcement that were destined for Haiti.
What weapons are used?
There is no precise data, but a growing body of circumstantial evidence points to the use of modern, lethal weapons.
In February 2025, a shipment destined for Haiti from Miami was intercepted in the Dominican Republic. It included, among other items, a Barret M82 heavy semiautomatic rifle, sniper rifles, an Uzi submachine gun, and over 36,000 rounds of ammunition.
What does the UN resolution say?
The October 2022 UN Security Council resolution prohibits the supply of weapons and technical assistance to Haiti, as well as the training and financing of groups and individuals who threaten the peace and security of Haiti. Travel bans and asset freezes have also been imposed.
How do groups circumvent the embargo?
The main smuggling routes from the US – particularly from Miami and New York via the Dominican Republic – are rife with lax controls and corruption. Some shipments are intercepted, but smugglers have alternative routes – weapons also come from Venezuela and other South American countries.
Contraband is often disguised as humanitarian or commercial cargo. Furthermore, bandits often end up with assault rifles registered to private security firms.
© UNICEF/R. Erol
Residents flee the Solino neighborhood of Port-au-Prince after increased gang attacks in May 2024.
What is the UN doing?
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach at the national, regional, and international levels. Haitian customs and border services lack the necessary technical resources—the country lacks a single large-format container scanner.
Given that most shipments are made by sea, it is critical to strengthen controls at ports and along the border with the Dominican Republic. The UN is helping coordinate the efforts of countries in the region, providing technical support for weapons tracing, customs control, and financial investigations.
Since Haiti produces neither weapons nor ammunition, cutting off ammunition supplies could paralyze armed groups and stop terror against civilians. But that's not all.
“The key to the embargo’s effectiveness is the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows,” the UNODC emphasizes.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.