The U.S. has notified the United Nations that it is freezing funding to a U.N.-backed mission in Haiti tasked with fighting gangs trying to seize full control of the country’s capital, the U.N. said Tuesday.

Heavily armed gangs in Haiti have attacked a neighborhood that’s home to most of the country’s elite and had been largely untouched by criminals

Heavily armed gangs have attacked Haiti's elite neighbourhood of Kenscoff, killing at least 40 people. Despite warnings, police lack resources to repel the assault, which has left over 1,660 homeless.

A contingent from El Salvador arrived in Haiti on Tuesday to bolster a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police to help fight gangs that killed thousands of people last year and control much of the capital.

Leslie Voltaire acknowledged that the election plan amid Haiti’s ongoing gang violence and worsening humanitarian situation is ambitious.