On the humanitarian and security situation in Haiti, in particular the rising power of criminal gangs and the recent massacre in Cabaret

B100428/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the humanitarian and security situation in Haiti, in particular the rising power of criminal gangs and the recent massacre in Cabaret

(2025/2905(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Haiti,

having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure;

whereas Haiti faces a severe humanitarian and security crisis as armed gangs expand control, particularly in and around Port-au-Prince, while state institutions have largely collapsed and the country risks becoming a narcostate; whereas a refugee crisis is underway, impacting notably EU ultraperipheral regions;

whereas in September 2025, gangs from the Viv Ansanm coalition carried out a massacre in Labodrie, commune of Cabaret, killing at least 42 civilians, including children, burning homes and displacing more than 2,900 people, many in precarious conditions in Arcahaïe;

whereas nearly half of Haiti’s population — about 5.2 million people — face acute food insecurity, with over 1.6 million in emergency levels and some 500,000 children suffering from malnutrition; whereas cholera and other preventable diseases are worsening due to collapsed health services, lack of clean water and obstruction of humanitarian access;

whereas gangs commit killings, kidnappings, sexual violence and forced recruitment of children, acting with impunity due to the breakdown of the justice system; whereas they also target journalists, civil society, humanitarian workers and aid convoys; whereas the UN and humanitarian organisations warn that violence prevents life-saving aid;

whereas the UNSC has mandated an international mission to support the Haitian National Police (HNP), but resources remain insufficient;

whereas USAID cuts have suspended vital humanitarian services, including food, healthcare and support for vulnerable groups, leading to project closures, job losses and reduced access to medicines, worsening food insecurity and displacement; whereas these cuts also threaten support for UN security missions, aggravating instability;

Strongly condemns the escalating gang violence in Haiti, in particular the Cabaret massacre of September 2025 in which dozens of civilians were brutally killed and thousands displaced; the deliberate use of terror tactics;

Urges the Haitian authorities to restore security and the rule of law by reinforcing the HNP and judiciary; calls for accountability for gang crimes and human rights violations, including sexual violence and attacks on journalists, civil society and aid workers;

Demands an immediate end to gang violence; supports measures to disrupt gang operations and financing, including enforcement of an arms embargo; calls on the EU and its Member States to impose targeted sanctions against gang leaders and sponsors and to halt illicit arms flows into Haiti;

Calls on all Haitian stakeholders to engage in dialogue to break the political deadlock and agree on a Haitian-led transitional roadmap; free and fair elections; supports CARICOM’s mediation efforts to facilitate consensus on restoring democracy;

Urges the EU and its Member States to contribute to the UN-backed mission and step up humanitarian aid, including food, nutrition and health support; demands safe access for relief operations and condemns all attacks on aid and medical workers;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Haiti, the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States, the UNSG, CARICOM and the OAS.