UN says Haiti struggling ‘to avert precipice of instability’

A protester holds up matches after setting a government car on fire during a protest demanding justice in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Dieu Nallo Chery/AP)

The UN envoy for Haiti warned that Latin America’s poorest country has seen increasing violence in recent months, with gangs challenging the authority of the state and political divisions blocking movement toward legislative elections.

Helen La Lime painted a grim picture of life in Haiti to the UN Security Council, saying the country “is once again struggling to avert the precipice of instability”.