A New Leadership Is Appointed In Haiti As Gangs Threaten to Overthrow the Government

August 25, 2025

Laurent Saint-Cyr, a wealthy businessman from Haiti's private sector, has been appointed as head of Haiti's transitional presidential council amid a severe security crisis where gangs control 90% of Port-au-Prince neighborhoods. During his swearing-in ceremony, Saint-Cyr emphasized the need for action rather than speeches while powerful gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier threatened to overthrow the government. The transitional leadership faces significant challenges including endemic gang violence, widespread sexual assault, and limited resources for the UN-backed security mission, which has only 991 personnel instead of the planned 2,500 and just 14% of needed funding.

Who is affected

Haitian citizens living in gang-controlled areas (90% of Port-au-Prince neighborhoods)
The 1.3+ million people displaced by violence in recent years
Women and girls who are victims of "endemic" collective rape
Residents of formerly peaceful areas like Kenscoff that are now experiencing violence
Eight kidnapped people from an orphanage, including an Irish missionary and a 3-year-old child
The 1,520 people killed and 600+ injured from April to June

What action is being taken

Laurent Saint-Cyr has been appointed and sworn in as head of Haiti's transitional presidential council
UN-backed Kenyan police mission is conducting around-the-clock patrols and increasing armed forces in certain neighborhoods
Kenyan police officers are engaging in direct confrontations with gang members despite being outnumbered and underequipped
The transitional council is attempting to establish authority amid significant challenges from armed gangs
Security forces are conducting operations against gangs (accounting for 60% of recent killings and injuries)

Why it matters

Haiti is experiencing "one of the greatest crises in all its history" according to Saint-Cyr
Gangs control 90% of neighborhoods in the capital, threatening state authority and civilian safety
Both the transitional president and prime minister now come from the private sector, raising concerns about elite control
The UN-backed security mission has only 14% of needed funding ($112 million of $800 million)
Partisan infighting within the transitional government has "paralyzed" governance and "emboldened" gangs
Sexual violence has surged with "collective rape" described as "endemic"
The security situation continues to deteriorate with violence spreading to previously safe areas

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint