Haiti adopts ‘war budget’ as gangs take over towns
A woman sweeps debris next to a blazing barricade set up by demonstrators during a protest against insecurity in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, April 2, 2025. —ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO—Haiti’s government announced Monday that it approved what it called a “war budget” of $275,000 aimed at alleviating the country’s crisis as gang violence surges.
Nearly 40 percent of the money will go toward Haiti’s police and military “to fight the armed groups that threaten national stability,” while nearly 20 percent will go to fortify the border that the country shares with the Dominican Republic, Haiti’s transitional presidential council said in a statement.
Another 16 percent will go to social programs, including those focused on education, health and humanitarian assistance.
The council said the special budget reflects the state’s commitment to act decisively and target the growing insecurity.
