Haiti

Current status

Haiti's security situation has deteriorated sharply over the past 30 days, with 50 critical and high-severity events including widespread use of conventional military force, economic blockades, and assassinations. The concentration of 28 critical-level incidents across multiple departments, particularly Ouest and Artibonite, indicates a complete breakdown of state control amid escalating gang warfare and international intervention efforts.

Supply chain impact

• Textile manufacturing and apparel supply chains face severe disruption as Haiti's garment industry—a key supplier to U.S. fast fashion brands—operates primarily in Port-au-Prince's Ouest department where military operations are concentrated.
• Essential oil exports, including vetiver and other agricultural aromatics used in cosmetics and fragrance industries, are at risk due to economic blockades and violence in agricultural regions like Artibonite.
• Caribbean shipping routes serving North American markets may experience delays or rerouting as Port-au-Prince and other Haitian ports become inaccessible due to security concerns.
• Companies with manufacturing operations in Haiti's industrial parks face potential asset seizure, workforce displacement, and complete production shutdowns amid the current violence.
• Regional food security is threatened as Haiti's agricultural exports to Caribbean markets are disrupted by blockades and conflict in key farming regions.

Watch points

• Monitor Port-au-Prince port operations and accessibility, as closure would eliminate 80% of Haiti's trade capacity and force supply chain diversification to Dominican Republic or other Caribbean hubs.
• Track the effectiveness of international intervention forces, particularly Kenyan deployment mentioned in recent coverage, as mission failure could trigger complete economic collapse and refugee crisis.
• Watch for expansion of gang control beyond current hotspots in Ouest and Artibonite departments, which would threaten remaining textile production facilities and agricultural supply chains.