Haiti Declares State of Emergency to Combat Gang Violence Devastating Key Agricultural Regions

Haiti has declared a three-month state of emergency across its key

agricultural regions—West, Artibonite, and Center departments—in a decisive effort to counter the escalating gang violence that has devastated the nation’s food production. This area, known

as Haiti’s breadbasket for its crucial rice harvests, has seen rampant attacks by armed groups terrorizing rural communities, killing farmers, burning villages, and forcing many to abandon their lands.

The consequences have been dire: fields lie uncultivated, and food shortages loom as the violence disrupts farming cycles. According to the United Nations human rights office, from October 2024 through June 2025, over 1,000 people were killed, 200 wounded, and 620 abducted in these regions and nearby areas. More than 239,000 residents have been displaced, many fleeing to temporary camps or crossing borders. A chilling incident last April saw desperate residents risking their lives by swimming across Haiti’s largest river to escape the violence.

This emergency comes amid leadership changes within Haiti’s National Police. André Jonas Vladimir Paraison was named interim police chief, replacing Normil Rameau, who faced criticism for failing to contain gangs that control about 90% of Port-au-Prince. Paraison, who was on duty during the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, steps into a role critical to restoring security.

These efforts coincide with the leadership of Laurent Saint-Cyr, Haiti’s transitional council president, who oversees a fragile political landscape. As the state of emergency begins, many hope it will bring stability, reduce violence, and allow the vital agricultural regions to recover and feed the nation once again.