The UN envoy for Haiti warned Monday 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”.

Haiti has been roiled by street protests and economic stagnation for much of President Jovenal Moise's time in office since February 2017 as opposition leaders demand his departure. They say he has mismanaged the economy and failed to prosecute years of unbridled corruption that siphoned billions in international aid into bank accounts overseas.

His opponents have failed and Haiti's parliament shut down in January because of the chaos, eliminating the check on presidential power that paralysed Moise for years. He is now ruling by executive order.

La Lime said that “in the past months, unrest — sometimes in the form of violent protests — has become increasingly prevalent, and perceptions of insecurity have grown ever more acute”.

“Gangs continue to challenge the authority of the state, especially in the more populous neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince,” she said. “And a fringe group of disaffected police officers calling themselves 'Fantom 509' has, along with its followers, brought disorder to the capital on several occasions.”

She said the key to free and inclusive elections lies with Haiti's political and economic classes — whether they can compromise without resorting to violence, and whether the country's fledgling institutions can take the necessary steps to ensure fair voting.