are renewed gang clashes at an oil terminal testing haiti's path to elections

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 AUGUST 2026 —

Shots fired at Haiti’s Varreaux oil terminal on 10 August, the country’s main oil supply, were part of a fresh clash between the Wharf Jérémie and Belekou gangs in Cit Soleil, according to ACLED data.

The violence is a continuation of hostilities that flared in June when Belekou allegedly fired on Wharf Jérémie residents who were celebrating the World Cup. That confrontation killed at least 30 people and displaced more than 5,000, the report said. The latest exchange is one of many that have intensified in 2026, with ACLED recording 424 gang‑related deaths from January to July, nearly twice the total for 2025.

The rise follows a 2025 decline that had been attributed to the Viv Ansanm alliance formed in September 2023, which had temporarily united rival gangs against external threats.

The Varreaux terminal has been a frequent target in past gang incursions. Violence near the site can trigger fuel shortages that ripple through Haiti’s supply chains, disrupt hospital operations and heighten humanitarian needs. “Exploiting this vulnerability allows gangs to pressure authorities,” the ACLED analysis noted.

The latest outbreak will test Haiti’s newly operational Gang Suppression Force (GSF). A police station was recently opened at Varreaux and GSF personnel have been deployed in Cit Soleil. Protecting critical infrastructure such as the oil terminal is seen as essential for maintaining overall security and limiting gang interference before the December 13 elections.

For Malaysian investors, the escalation signals increased risk for any regional supply chains that depend on Caribbean oil shipments. While no direct exposure to Malaysian firms is reported, the instability could affect global oil prices and logistics, potentially impacting energy costs for Malaysian businesses. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as security forces respond to the renewed gang conflict.