UN envoy hails Haitian resilience amid deepening crisis

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the new UN Special Representative for Haiti and head of BINUH, praised the resilience of the Haitian people amid deepening political, humanitarian, and security crises. Speaking to the UN Security Council, he said their determination offers hope despite dire conditions.

During his first two and a half months in Haiti, Massieu met with political leaders, civil society, and international partners. He described internal displacement as unprecedented, with over 1.4 million people driven from their homes by expanding gang control in Port-au-Prince and rural areas. Human rights abuses linked to gangs, self-defense groups, and some security operations remain deeply troubling.

Massieu expressed concern that a clear path to democratic governance has not yet emerged, though Haitian authorities are consulting on elections ahead of the February 7, 2026, deadline for restoring elected leadership. He stressed that sustained dialogue among Haitians is essential to building consensus.

BINUH will keep supporting election preparations, and Massieu welcomed Security Council backing for the Gang Suppression Force. He urged stronger protection for vulnerable communities, especially children, and pledged to restore full UN staffing in Port-au-Prince. He called on the international community to turn recent commitments into tangible progress against violence.