PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s descent into chaos continues as efforts by an international force to combat rampant gang violence face significant challenges. Over the weekend, an additional 75 Guatemalan soldiers arrived in Port-au-Prince, bringing the total Guatemalan contingent to over 150. The troops join a Kenyan-led multinational force that has been slowly deploying since June, with representation from countries including Jamaica, Belize, and El Salvador.
The mission, meant to restore order in the Caribbean nation, is critically under-resourced. Currently, 400 officers are on the ground, a fraction of the expected 2,500. Yet, even this reinforced presence struggles to confront Haiti’s well-armed gangs, which dominate approximately 85% of the capital, according to UN estimates. The gangs have been implicated in a litany of atrocities, including murders, kidnappings, and attacks on civilians.
Escalating Violence Threatens Stability
Recent months have seen a surge in violence despite the international intervention. In December alone, over 200 people were reportedly killed after a gang leader ordered attacks on voodoo practitioners. Additionally, a gang assault during a hospital reopening claimed the lives of two journalists and a police officer, further highlighting the deteriorating security landscape.
Even critical infrastructure is under threat. Persistent violence forced the temporary closure of Port-au-Prince’s airport in November, disrupting commercial air traffic and isolating the already beleaguered city.
A Plea for Expanded Peacekeeping
Haiti’s transitional government has intensified calls for the United Nations to upgrade the Kenyan-led multinational force into a fully-fledged peacekeeping mission. This request, conveyed through the United States, has encountered significant resistance within the UN Security Council, particularly from China and Russia, who hold veto power.
The political stalemate exacerbates the urgency on the ground, where local police forces, ill-equipped and overwhelmed, struggle to reclaim control from the gangs.
The Human Toll
The ongoing crisis has left a profound impact on Haitian citizens, many of whom face daily threats of violence. The United Nations has described the situation as one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in the region. Families are fleeing their homes, schools remain closed, and hospitals struggle to operate amid relentless gang intimidation.
Looking Ahead
While the additional deployment of Guatemalan troops signals international commitment to Haiti’s plight, the scale of the challenge far exceeds current efforts. Without stronger global action and adequate resources, the multinational mission risks being another chapter in a long history of failed interventions in Haiti.
The people of Haiti await not just reinforcements, but a comprehensive and unified response to restore peace and stability in the nation. For now, their future remains precariously uncertain.
