The escalation of violence in Haiti has led to an alarming increase in irregular migration, drug trafficking and arms trafficking throughout the Caribbean region, according to the ninth quarterly report of the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The organisation calls for enhanced regional cooperation in the face of a now cross-border threat.
Between July and September 2025, gangs consolidated their grip on nearly 90% of Port-au-Prince, extending to the country's strategic corridors. This instability has led to an increase in illicit flows to the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands, according to the report. Turtle Island is identified as a key centre for organized crime, serving as a starting point for both drug smuggling and smuggling of migrants.
UNODC highlights in particular a record seizure of 1,045 kg of cocaine on 13 July 2025 near Turtle Island, led by the Haitian National Police with the support of its specialized units. Three Jamaican traffickers were killed and one was arrested. The operation highlighted a multinational network linking Haitian traffickers with regional actors operating Caribbean maritime routes to Florida.
In response to this situation, the United Nations calls for increased coordination between Haiti and its neighbours, including capacity-building, judicial cooperation and information-sharing. The organisation also stresses the need to integrate human rights guarantees into security operations and support anti-corruption and financial crime units.
W.A. with AP News
