In brief
Haiti is grappling with rampant gang violence, with armed groups escalating criminal activity despite an international arms embargo aimed at curbing their access to weapons.
In a shocking twist, a viral video featuring gang leader Joseph Wilson flaunting his weapons has revealed the alarming reality of armed gangs in Haiti. The country, which doesn't manufacture guns and has an arms embargo, faces a worrying influx of illegal weapons stemming from the U.S. and laundered through neighboring Dominican Republic.The capital, Port-au-Prince, is home to around 20 armed groups wielding high-caliber weapons like AR-15s and Glock handguns. With an estimated 500,000 firearms circulating illegally, these gangs are overwhelming Haiti's under-equipped police force, leading to a staggering death toll of over 5,600 homicide victims last year alone. In response, the Haitian government has tightened border regulations with the Dominican Republic, allowing only products produced there, as the crisis continues to escalate.
