‘We cannot take it anymore’: Haiti’s informal vendors protest over gang warfare

September 27, 2026

Informal street vendors in Haiti, predominantly women who form the backbone of the country's economy, have been devastated by escalating gang violence that has destroyed markets, blocked supply routes, and displaced entire communities. Since August 2026, vendors organized as the Collectif des Citoyens du Secteur Informel Haïtien et des Petites Entreprises have been staging protests demanding government assistance, security, tax relief, and reparations after losing their businesses, homes, and family members to armed groups. With gangs controlling over 70 percent of Port-au-Prince and extorting traders on major supply routes, food prices have skyrocketed while vendors struggle to survive and send their children to school.

Who is affected

Informal street vendors, predominantly women, including Madan Sara (rural women traders)
Low-income families and children unable to attend school
Rural farmers in the Artibonite and Centre departments
Displaced people forced into camps after losing homes and businesses
Communities in areas including Marché Salomon, Portail Léogâne, Champ de Mars, and Kenscoff
Residents of Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions under gang control
Drivers and vendors traveling on roads to the south and north of Port-au-Prince

What action is being taken

Informal vendors are organizing regular street protests through the Collectif des Citoyens du Secteur Informel Haïtien et des Petites Entreprises (CCIHPE)
Protesters are marching through downtown Port-au-Prince carrying banners with demands
Demonstrators are gathering in front of government buildings including the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, and Ministry of Economy and Finance
The Haitian government and Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) are launching the electoral process with voter and candidate registration
Gang groups are controlling roads, operating illegal toll checkpoints, and extorting drivers and vendors
The Haitian National Police (PNH) are engaging in gun battles with armed gangs at locations like Champ de Mars

Why it matters

This situation highlights the catastrophic impact of state failure on Haiti's most vulnerable population, particularly women who depend on informal trade to support their families. The informal sector represents approximately 80 percent of Haiti's economy, making the destruction of markets and supply routes an existential threat to the nation's economic survival and food security. With gangs controlling over 70 percent of the capital and blocking major agricultural supply routes, the crisis has created a humanitarian emergency where basic necessities like food and education have become inaccessible. The protesters' demands for accountability regarding the 21 billion gourdes allocated for economic recovery underscore systemic corruption issues, while the government's decision to proceed with elections amid widespread gang control raises serious questions about democratic legitimacy and state capacity to protect its citizens.

What's next

The vendors have promised to continue taking to the streets and protesting until the government listens to them and satisfies their demands. General elections are scheduled for December 13, 2026.

Read full article from source: Global Voices