The United States has pledged to take action against Haitian gangs that are using social media to promote violence, recruit children, and earn money. The U.S. envoy to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, made the announcement during a recent U.N. Security Council meeting in New York.

Gangs Exploit Social Media to Spread Violence

Gang leaders in Haiti have become prolific users of social media, using platforms to celebrate killings, issue threats, and share their thoughts. Younger gang members also use social media to post music videos and showcase their wealth in an effort to recruit children in the impoverished nation. This disturbing trend has caught the attention of the international community, with many expressing concern about the impact of social media on the situation in Haiti.

Waltz described the situation as ‘incredibly disturbing’ and warned that the U.S. would ‘shut that down’ in the near future. However, he did not provide further details about the U.S. plan to address the issue.

Efforts to Crack Down on Gangs’ Social Media Use

Efforts to crack down on the gangs’ use of social media are not new. In 2023, YouTube banned Johnson André, also known as Izo and considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader, following heavy criticism after he received an award for surpassing more than 100,000 subscribers.

Waltz also called on countries with aircraft capacity to help with the deployment of foreign troops joining the latest U.N.-backed mission in Haiti to fight gangs, including Sri Lanka and Côte d’Ivoire. He emphasized that sea lifts take too long and that Haitians need help now.

Gang violence has displaced a record almost 1.5 million people across Haiti, where more than half of the country’s nearly 12 million inhabitants need humanitarian aid. More than 2,300 people have been killed and more than 1,100 injured since January, according to the U.N. Earlier this year, clashes in the Cite Soleil slum in Haiti’s capital alone led to 542 killings and 355 injuries. In addition, at least 176 women and girls were raped, the U.N. found.

Haiti’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Gang violence has only surged since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Seven of Haiti’s 10 departments are ready for electoral activities, while the gang suppression force is vital to restoring security in the remaining three, said Raina Forbin, Haiti’s foreign affairs minister.

She noted that by year’s end, an additional 4,000 officers are expected to join Haiti’s National Police, which remains understaffed and underfunded. Meanwhile, an additional 1,500 recruits are expected to join Haiti’s revived Armed Forces.