The head of Haiti’s security forces, Jean-Donald Chery, was abducted on Tuesday in Port-au-Prince, a brazen attack that has sent shockwaves through the Caribbean and prompted the UK Foreign Office to issue a stark warning about the growing grip of criminal gangs. The kidnapping, which took place in the capital’s volatile Cite Soleil neighbourhood, highlights a disturbing trend: the systematic undermining of state authority by armed groups that now control an estimated 80% of the city. For the people of Haiti, already reeling from a humanitarian crisis, this is yet another blow to any hope of stability. But for British officials, the threat is increasingly seen as a regional contagion that could affect trade routes and security in the wider Caribbean.
Chery, who serves as the director of the National Police Directorate, was reportedly ambushed by a gang known as the “Kraze Baryè” while travelling without a heavy escort. His captors have not yet made demands, but the incident follows a pattern of high-profile kidnappings that have plagued Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The UK’s warning, issued late last night, stated that “the collapse of law and order in Haiti poses a direct risk to regional stability” and urged British nationals in the country to leave immediately. The Foreign Office also noted that gangs are expanding their operations beyond kidnapping, engaging in fuel smuggling and extortion that could affect shipping lanes and energy prices across the Caribbean.
This is not just a Haitian crisis. The UK has significant economic interests in the region, particularly in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, where the threat of gang violence spilling over is very real. In recent months, there have been reports of Haitian gangs establishing networks in the Dominican Republic and even as far as Jamaica. For the ordinary worker in the UK, this might seem distant, yet the ripples are felt in the price of goods. The Caribbean is a key transit point for global trade, and any disruption to shipping could push up costs for imported fruits, sugar and rum. Already, the cost of living crisis has hit British households hard. A destabilised Caribbean could mean higher prices at the supermarket checkouts.
Back in Port-au-Prince, the kidnapping is a stark reminder of the impotence of the transitional government. Prime Minister Garry Conille has been unable to stem the tide of violence, despite promises of international support. A UN-backed security mission led by Kenya was due to deploy this year, but it has been delayed by funding shortfalls and political wrangling. Meanwhile, gangs continue to arm themselves with weapons smuggled from the United States and elsewhere. They now control key infrastructure, including the main fuel terminal, which has caused crippling shortages across the country.
For Haitians, the daily struggle for survival has become all-consuming. Schools are closed. Hospitals are overwhelmed. More than 700,000 people have been displaced. The kidnapping of their security chief is not just a symbolic blow. It is a signal that no one is safe, not even those tasked with protecting them. The UK has long been a significant donor to Haiti, providing millions in aid. But as the gangs grow bolder, there are questions about whether that money is doing any good. Critics argue that without a concerted effort to tackle the root causes of the violence, including poverty and corruption, the situation will only get worse.
The Foreign Office’s warning should be a wake-up call for the international community. The Caribbean is not a faraway place with no connection to Britain. It is a neighbour, a trading partner and a destination for thousands of British tourists every year. If Haiti falls completely into the hands of the gangs, the consequences will be felt well beyond its borders. The UK must act not just with words, but with concrete support for the Kenyan mission and for long-term development. Otherwise, the warning signs will become a reality that nobody can ignore.
