UNODC Security Council Quarterly Report (2024-01)
Summary — This report, submitted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), assesses the sources and routes of illicit firearms and financial flows in Haiti and the wider Caribbean region. It highlights the regional dynamics of firearms trafficking, the domestic characteristics of weapons distribution within Haiti, and actions undertaken by Haitian authorities to disrupt illicit financial flows.
Key Findings
- The United States is the primary source of firearms trafficked to Haiti.
- Firearms are trafficked to Jamaica from Haiti in exchange for drugs.
- Gangs in Haiti control key routes for firearms and drug distribution.
- Illicit financial flows exacerbate political instability and organized crime in Haiti.
- Corruption and impunity hinder anti-corruption efforts in Haiti.
Full Description
The report provides a comprehensive assessment of illicit firearms and financial flows in Haiti, focusing on regional dynamics, domestic distribution, and financial disruptions. It identifies the United States as a primary source of firearms trafficked to Haiti, either directly or through intermediaries like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos. The report details trafficking routes, including shipments from Florida to Haitian ports, land routes via the Dominican Republic, and personal effects via Cap-Haïtien. It also highlights the role of Haitian gangs in procuring, storing, and distributing weapons, and the efforts of Haitian authorities to combat corruption and illicit financial flows that fuel organized violence.