International efforts to restore security in Haiti have reached a key milestone.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Friday that the United States has received pledges that significantly exceed initial targets to strengthen the international security presence in Haiti.
Rubio stated that commitments now total “up to 7,500 security personnel” from multiple nations, exceeding the original target of 5,500 military and police officers by more than 36 percent.
“We were looking for 5,500 forces. We already have pledges of up to 7,500 forces from a variety of countries. We’ve seen donors step up to fund that effort,” Rubio told reporters, according to Reuters.
Increased international contributions follow the UN Security Council decision
This increase in pledged support follows the UN Security Council’s decision in late September to more than double the international mission’s personnel in Haiti, where the mission has operated for the past 15 months. The mission will be renamed the “Gang Suppression Force,” reflecting a stronger operational mandate.
The initial Kenya-led mission, deployed in June 2024, faced significant challenges in reducing violence by armed criminal organizations. Several of these groups have been designated as terrorist organizations by Washington.
An unprecedented humanitarian crisis
The severity of the situation highlights the need for international mobilization.
Gangs, many armed with illicit weapons from the United States, now control nearly all of Port-au-Prince. This dominance has displaced over 1.3 million people and worsened the food security crisis.
Children’s involvement in these criminal organizations is especially alarming. According to UNICEF, children make up about 50 percent of gang membership in Haiti, indicating systematic exploitation by criminal networks.
A successful donor pledging conference
This progress followed a closed-door pledging conference held on December 9 at UN headquarters.
The United States and Canada, organizers of the event, reported that eighteen entities pledged personnel, resources, and technical support.
These contributions reflect the growing international recognition of Haiti’s stabilization as vital to regional and global security.
Formidable challenges remain ahead
Despite this diplomatic progress, the Gang Suppression Force faces significant challenges.
The initial Kenya-led mission showed that troop deployments, while necessary, are not enough to quickly dismantle entrenched criminal networks with significant financial resources, according to Reuters.
The success of this initiative will depend on the UN and contributing states coordinating efforts, deploying resources, and supporting Haiti’s National Police in regaining territorial control.
A fragile hope for Haiti’s future
For Haiti’s population, these commitments offer fragile hope that the international community will recognize the urgency of the crisis and respond appropriately.
The coming months will show whether this unprecedented international support can lead to meaningful security improvements for a nation long affected by gang violence and state fragility.
Source: Reuters
