Haiti is facing a deepening crisis as gang violence spirals out of control. Now, the US is pushing for a new UN-backed ‘Gang Suppression Force’ to restore order. Will this bold international intervention finally bring peace to the beleaguered nation and protect its citizens from relentless armed groups?
The United States has formally initiated efforts at the United Nations to secure authorization for a novel “Gang Suppression Force” aimed at curbing the severe and escalating gang violence plaguing Haiti. This diplomatic push comes amidst a rapidly deteriorating security landscape where armed groups have expanded their brutal activities from the capital into rural areas, plunging the nation into a profound crisis. The international community is being called upon to support a robust response to this urgent humanitarian and security challenge.
Haiti’s socio-political environment has been volatile for an extended period, with criminal organizations establishing broad control and severely disrupting daily life. The current Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) force, deployed in June 2024, has struggled to contain the pervasive lawlessness, operating with a strength significantly below its intended 2,500 troops. The proposed new force signifies a renewed, and potentially more assertive, international approach to restoring order.
Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea unveiled the initiative during a recent U.N. Security Council meeting, announcing that the U.S., in collaboration with Panama, would circulate a draft resolution. This resolution seeks not only to establish the Gang Suppression Force but also to create a dedicated U.N. Support Office, which would provide crucial logistical backing for its operations. This structure aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the intervention.
While the specifics of the new force remain under discussion, there is speculation among council diplomats that the existing Kenya-led force could be rebranded and significantly augmented in size and capabilities under the new U.N. authorization. However, the precise nature of U.S. military or police contributions, and the continued involvement of other contributing nations like the Bahamas, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, and Jamaica, have not yet been explicitly detailed, leaving some aspects of the intervention uncertain.
Ambassador Shea passionately urged Security Council members to endorse this “new path towards peace and security” in Haiti, emphasizing the critical need for meaningful burden-sharing among international partners. Her call underscores the immense scale of the challenge and the necessity for a united front to promote stability in the distressed Caribbean nation, which continues to grapple with widespread gang violence and institutional breakdown.
Further complicating the security landscape is the reported involvement of private security entities. A recent report indicated that Vectus Global, a firm founded by Erik Prince, a notable donor to U.S. President Donald Trump, is set to deploy nearly 200 personnel to Haiti for a one-year contract. This deployment is intended to assist the Haitian government in reclaiming territories seized by heavily armed gangs, highlighting the multifaceted efforts, both public and private, attempting to address the deep-seated crisis.
In parallel, a “Standing Group of Partners,” comprising the United States, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Kenya, has formed to provide high-level strategic direction and oversight for any revamped security force. This group is committed to securing voluntary financial contributions for costs beyond the U.N. Support Office’s scope, facilitating an increase in force numbers, and ensuring coordinated action, including the appointment of a special representative in Haiti.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the urgency of the situation before Ambassador Shea’s address, welcoming efforts to strengthen the multinational mission with U.N. logistical and operational support. He painted a grim picture of Haiti’s humanitarian plight, citing crumbling state authority, widespread displacement due to gang violence, and attacks on vital infrastructure like hospitals and schools. Guterres stressed the critical need for immediate action, lamenting that the U.N. appeal for $908 million to aid 3.9 million people is less than 10% funded, making it the least funded humanitarian appeal globally.
The collective appeals from the U.S. and the U.N. chief underscore a “life-and-death emergency” in Haiti, where 1.7 million people face the dire prospect of receiving no assistance unless donors respond swiftly. The proposed Gang Suppression Force, coupled with broader international support and coordination, represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to address Haiti’s profound security and humanitarian crisis.
