Port-au-Prince, HAITI – With gang violence tightening its grip on Haiti, fresh reinforcements from Guatemala and El Salvador joined the multinational mission on Friday, stepping into one of the most dangerous security crises in the Caribbean.
A total of 83 soldiers—75 Guatemalan and 8 Salvadoran—touched down to bolster the ongoing efforts led by Kenya to support Haiti’s overwhelmed police forces, according to police official Lionel Lazarre. These troops join the 400-strong force already on the ground, including officers from Kenya, Jamaica, and Belize, as part of a larger plan to deploy up to 2,500 personnel.
Yet, as international forces trickle in, Haiti’s gangs remain a powerful adversary. Controlling an estimated 85 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, these armed groups are accused of widespread atrocities, from murder to kidnappings and sexual violence. The United Nations reports that the gangs’ dominance has persisted despite the presence of international troops.
In recent weeks, violence has escalated dramatically. A December 24 shootout claimed the lives of two journalists and a police officer, underscoring the risks faced by those on the ground. Earlier in December, over 200 individuals were slaughtered in attacks targeting voodoo practitioners—a grim reflection of the lawlessness engulfing the nation.
Despite these tragedies, calls for international action remain contentious. Haiti’s interim government has urged the UN to convert the Kenyan-led mission into a full-scale peacekeeping operation. However, geopolitical tensions complicate the process, with nations like China and Russia pushing back against such measures in the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, Haitian communities continue to endure relentless violence, with no immediate end in sight. As reinforcements arrive, the question remains whether international intervention can turn the tide in Haiti’s fight for stability—or if deeper global commitment is needed to quell the chaos.
