- Economist Fritz Alphonse Jean assumes rotating council leadership
- Gangs command influence over 85% of Port-au-Prince
- UN-backed forces face operational challenges despite international support
- 2024 fatalities surge to nearly 5,700 amid security collapse
Haiti's transitional presidential council marked a leadership transition Friday as Fritz Alphonse Jean, former central bank governor, assumed the rotating presidency. The economist's ascension comes as criminal networks tighten their grip on the Caribbean nation, with urban warfare paralyzing critical infrastructure and displacing thousands. Security analysts note this power shift occurs during the worst instability since the 2021 presidential assassination.
The Kenyan-led multinational force, deployed under UN authorization, continues facing logistical hurdles and personnel losses. Recent intelligence reports reveal gang factions now employ sophisticated drone surveillance systems, complicating security operations. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé emphasized the urgent need for armored vehicles and air support during closed-door parliamentary sessions.
Historical data shows gang influence has expanded 300% since 2020, with extortion networks now generating $150 million annually. This economic stranglehold directly impacts Haiti's agricultural sector, where coffee exports plummeted 45% last quarter. The council's February 2026 election roadmap appears increasingly precarious without immediate security improvements.
A regional comparison reveals stark contrasts: Jamaica's 2023 anti-gang taskforce reduced Kingston's violence by 40% through community policing and port monitoring. Haitian officials reportedly requested similar technical assistance during recent CARICOM meetings. UN Secretary-General Guterres' proposed support office aims to address these gaps with nonlethal aid, though critics argue weaponized drones remain essential for intelligence gathering.