OAS chief warns of political collusion with gangs ahead of Haiti elections
Key Points(5)
- Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Albert Ramdin has warned that alleged collusion between Haitian politicians and armed gangs could undermine the credibility of the country's upcoming elections, saying the issue is widely known but rarely discussed publicly.
- Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Ramdin said there is "a certain collusion" between Haiti's political class and criminal gangs, describing the links as a major concern ahead of the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for later this year.
- "There is a certain collusion between the political world and the gangs.
- I am saying this clearly because everyone knows it, but no one is talking about it," Ramdin said.
- Ramdin, who visited Haiti in August, said he raised the issue with Haitian authorities during his trip, urging them to establish clear rules to prevent candidates with ties to criminal organizations from contesting the elections.
Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Albert Ramdin has warned that alleged collusion between Haitian politicians and armed gangs could undermine the credibility of the country's upcoming elections, saying the issue is widely known but rarely discussed publicly.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Ramdin said there is "a certain collusion" between Haiti's political class and criminal gangs, describing the links as a major concern ahead of the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for later this year.
"There is a certain collusion between the political world and the gangs. I am saying this clearly because everyone knows it, but no one is talking about it," Ramdin said.
Ramdin, who visited Haiti in August, said he raised the issue with Haitian authorities during his trip, urging them to establish clear rules to prevent candidates with ties to criminal organizations from contesting the elections.
He said he did not receive a clear response from officials on how such candidates would be identified or barred from participating.
"If we know precisely which candidates are involved and which ones have been allowed to participate in the elections, we will then be able to fully assess the impact of the links with criminal organizations," he said.
Ramdin described Haiti's crisis as one of the OAS' highest priorities and said the deteriorating security situation remains the biggest obstacle to holding credible elections.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which was deployed with United Nations approval to help restore security, and criticized the lack of support from some countries that had pledged to contribute personnel and resources to the mission.
"Holding elections depends on a favorable security climate," Ramdin said.
Haiti is scheduled to hold the first round of presidential and legislative elections on Dec. 13, 2026, with a second round set for Feb. 21, 2027.
The elections are intended to help restore constitutional governance after years of political instability and escalating gang violence.
According to United Nations figures, violence in Haiti killed at least 3,050 people and injured 1,401 others during the first half of 2026, as armed gangs expanded their control over large parts of the country and continued attacks on communities and public institutions.
