Albert Ramdin, the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), has emphasized that Haiti requires urgent international assistance to combat gang violence and reclaim territory as the nation moves toward its first general elections in more than a decade. Ramdin, who recently concluded a diplomatic visit to the Caribbean country, held discussions with the prime minister and various government officials to assess the current security landscape.
Addressing the challenges ahead, Ramdin noted that the new U.N.-backed gang suppression force requires additional personnel, equipment, and financial resources to be effective. He stressed that the force's operations are vital for public safety and establishing the necessary conditions for a secure electoral process, adding that progress must be both visible and measurable in the near future.
The current security priorities identified by Ramdin include securing the primary route to the main international airport, maintaining consistent access to both the airport and seaport, and restoring safe travel routes to Haiti's southern region. Currently, criminal gangs maintain control over the primary transportation arteries leading into and out of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Ahead of the general elections scheduled for December 13, Ramdin urged Haitian authorities to accelerate the registration and identification of voters. Haiti has remained without a president since the assassination of Jovenel Moïse at his private residence in July 2021. In the years following, gang-related violence has surged, resulting in the displacement of a record 1.5 million people.
To support these efforts, the OAS intends to collaborate with the Pan American Health Organization to establish trauma centers. These facilities are intended to provide care for wounded Haitian police officers who are actively confronting gangs that now control approximately 70% of Port-au-Prince and significant areas beyond the capital. Furthermore, Ramdin expressed his intention to assemble a delegation of business leaders to explore potential investment opportunities for the country, which is currently grappling with deepening poverty, hunger, and unemployment.
Ramdin pledged that the OAS will continue to mobilize political, technical, and financial support. He concluded by stating that while the future of Haiti belongs to the Haitian people, the international community maintains a significant responsibility in helping the country navigate this decisive point in its history.
