"Arms Trafficking Crisis: The Flow of US Weapons to Haiti's Gangs"

"With nearly 5,600 people killed due to gang violence in 2024, an investigation has revealed how US-made weapons are being transported to Haiti. The report highlights the role of lax gun laws, suspected corruption among officials, and systemic challenges in combating trafficking to control the surge of violence plaguing the nation."

The recent investigation into arms trafficking has laid bare the troubling flow of weapons from the United States to Haiti, which is grappling with a significant gang crisis. The investigation, reported by the BBC World Service, followed a shipment from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showcasing a troubling network exploited by traffickers to bypass various legal restrictions and UN embargoes.

In April 2024, 12 assault rifles, 14 pistols, and nearly 1,000 ammunition cartridges were seized by Haitian authorities from two boxes that were deceptively labeled as containing clothes. These boxes were one of many that traveled approximately 746 miles across the Caribbean Sea, highlighting the extensive lines of supply for gangs who have gained a notorious hold on Haiti.

The shipment handled by Alliance International Shipping points to significant gaps in security and oversight by US customs. Despite an increase in container inspections, the majority of shipments, approximately 200 weekly from South Florida to Haiti, go unchecked, according to a UN panel. Former ATF official Bill Kullman lamented that the inspections are infrequent considering the volume of outgoing cargo.

Reported methods of trafficking include the use of "straw buyers" and shipping small quantities of firearms in various shipments, termed "ant trafficking." A crucial player identified in this network was a Haitian customs broker named Wilmane Jean, who is currently sought by authorities amidst allegations of ties to gang-related activities.

The dire situation in Haiti has escalated significantly due to rampant gang violence, with records indicating over 5,600 deaths from gang-related incidents in 2024 alone. With gangs controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince, the national and international communities are contending with an alarming humanitarian crisis. Many Haitians, like Wilson—a victim caught in the crossfire—are forced to seek shelter in overcrowded conditions, while gangs continue to operate with impunity.

As the international community attempts to address this pressing issue, experts argue that without more robust measures and accountability from US gun dealers and greater scrutiny of trafficking operations, the crisis in Haiti will persist. Calls for policy changes to enhance gun laws, impose voluntary codes of conduct among firearm sellers, and improve registrations akin to vehicle licenses have intensified. Yet, as Mr. Le Cour summarized, “We know we have the diagnosis; we know the symptoms are there, but we're not doing anything to actually cure it."