PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A new wave of international troops arrived in Haiti on Saturday, marking a renewed effort to address the spiraling violence that has gripped the country. Over 75 soldiers from Guatemala joined the multinational coalition in Port-au-Prince, bringing their total deployment to over 150, with more reinforcements expected in the coming weeks.
The Guatemalan contingent will work alongside a Kenyan-led force that began operations in June 2024. This coalition, which includes officers from Jamaica, Belize, and El Salvador, represents a global response to Haiti’s dire security situation. So far, around 400 personnel have been deployed, a fraction of the 2,500 troops the mission is set to include.
Despite these efforts, Haiti’s gangs remain deeply entrenched, controlling nearly 85 percent of the capital and surrounding areas, according to the United Nations. Violence continues to escalate, with armed groups targeting both civilians and key infrastructure. The situation has been exacerbated by limited resources and coordination challenges within the international force.
December alone saw a wave of atrocities, including the killing of over 200 individuals in an attack reportedly instigated by a gang leader targeting voodoo practitioners. The reopening of a hospital on Christmas Eve turned tragic as a gang attack claimed the lives of two journalists and a police officer. Earlier in November, sustained gunfire led to the closure of Port-au-Prince’s airport, leaving the capital increasingly isolated.
Calls for stronger intervention have grown louder. Haiti’s transitional government has urged the United Nations to upgrade the Kenyan-led mission to a full peacekeeping operation, a move that would bring additional funding and logistical support. However, opposition from key UN Security Council members, including China and Russia, has stalled progress, leaving the mission in a state of uncertainty.
As the international community debates the best course of action, Haiti’s citizens remain trapped in a precarious reality, with gang violence continuing to overshadow efforts toward recovery and stability.
