Spiralling lawlessness engulfing the Caribbean nation of Haiti has drawn concern from the Caribbean Community — along with a pledge to support peace efforts.

Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the chairman of Caricom, said that the bloc was “singularly focused on the events unfolding in Haiti over the last few days” as the member state’s security has slid towards collapse under a string of attacks by armed gangs.

Dr Irfaan Ali, the President of Guyana, where Caricom is based in the capital, Georgetown, said that the community was at work with the Haitian prime minister, Ariel Henry, and “our international partners to bring resolution to this highly complex matter where persons’ lives and livelihoods are at stake”.

Caricom’s 15 full members include widely varied states scattered across a broad geographical area.

Bermuda is an associate member, but is exploring the benefits of full membership.

However, David Burt has decisively ruled out Bermuda opting for open borders with the bloc.

Mr Henry was under mounting pressure this week from gangs in Haiti to step down — prompting the US State Department to push the Prime Minister to “expedite the transition to an empowered and inclusive governance structure”.

Attacks by gangs at large in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, the largest city within Caricom, have included the airport, prisons and government buildings.

Dr Irfaan Ali’s statement on Tuesday emphasised Caricom’s commitment to “a Haitian-led and Haitian-owned solution”.

He said: “We remain deeply engaged and will update on the outcome of our deliberations as soon as practicable.”