July 17, 2005

 Despite a shortage of troops, UN peacekeepers are aggressively raiding known gang headquarters, and forcing the gangs to be more discreet in their operations. The criminal gangs, both pro and anti-Aristide, are gradually taking over in the absence of  enough police to maintain order. The gangs are using kidnapping and extortion against anyone with money. Their victims are, in some cases, hiring their own security forces. This is turning Haiti into a heavily armed, but lawless no-man's land. In addition to the criminal gangs, there are also political gangs composed of pro and anti-Aristide groups.