Armed gang violence raises doubts about whether the long-delayed presidential and legislative elections will take place.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime told security agencies that a conducive environment was needed to hold presidential and legislative elections on Dec. 13.

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He attended a meeting of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), which was also attended by Defense Minister Mario Andresol; National Police Director Andre Vladimir Paraison; Armed Forces Commander Derby Guerrier; and Maj. Gen. Edernebat Batsuuri of Mongolia, commander of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

“The meeting made it possible to assess the national security situation and examine the measures needed to establish the security conditions essential for organizing the upcoming elections,” the office of Prime Minister Fils-Aime said.

The CEP scheduled the first round of presidential and legislative elections for Dec. 13. The elections have been postponed several times since 2021 and were supposed to take place Aug. 30 this year.

The last Haitian president elected by popular vote was Jovenel Moïse, who took office in February 2017 and was assassinated July 7, 2021, at his residence in Port-au-Prince by Colombian mercenaries.

‘WE WERE TREATED LIKE ANIMALS’

Dozens of people are feared dead after armed gangs stormed Kenscoff, Haiti, burning homes and forcing hundreds to flee.

Haitian rights group RNDDH says the toll could reach 40 as searches continue. Among the sites attacked was a church sheltering… pic.twitter.com/HwH4i1beKn

— Global South World (@g_s_world) August 25, 2026

Armed Gang Violence

Haitians are also expected to vote on several proposed constitutional changes. However, the severe violence and insecurity crisis, with armed gangs controlling most of Port-au-Prince and other areas of the country, has cast doubt on whether the elections will take place.

“The government reaffirms its determination to work in collaboration with the relevant institutions to establish a secure environment conducive to holding credible, inclusive and democratic elections,” the prime minister’s office said.

The assessment is expected to enable the Provisional Electoral Council “to have reliable data and a more accurate picture of the current security situation.”

Last week, electoral authorities extended the candidate registration period through Oct. 31 and postponed the start of the election campaign, which had been scheduled for Oct. 5. Some sectors have interpreted the moves as a sign that the elections will be postponed once again because of the critical security situation, but the CEP has not commented on the matter.

The armed gangs are being fought by the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which was established a year ago by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Its mandate was renewed for six months on Sept. 29.

More than 5,700 people have been killed or injured so far this year in Haiti as a result of violence by the gangs are also suspected of being responsible for more than 230 kidnappings and the rape of more than 1,000 women and girls.

teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE

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