More than 5,601 people in Haiti were killed in Haiti last year as a result of gang violence, about a thousand more than in 2023, the UN said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report that gangs in Haiti could overrun the capital, leading to a complete breakdown of government, without additional international support.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived in Haiti's southeastern city of Jacmel on Wednesday afternoon in a rare visit by a foreign head of state to the Caribbean nation, as Haiti endures an extended conflict with armed gangs.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro made a historic visit to Haiti's city of Jacmel amidst Haiti's struggle with armed gangs. His meeting with Haitian officials aimed at strengthening ties and addressing security challenges.

Petro is one of only a handful of heads of state that have visited Haiti recently given a surge in gang violence that has prompted a growing number of leaders in the international community to call for a U.N.-peacekeeping mission in the Caribbean country, noting that the current Kenyan-led mission lacks funds and personnel.