The United States and Panama have submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council seeking the creation of a new “Gang Suppression Force” in Haiti, aimed at confronting the escalating violence that has spread beyond the capital into rural areas. Acting U.S. ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, announced the proposal during a council session.
The initiative is designed to reinforce the current Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), led by Kenya, which currently operates with fewer than 1,000 troops, far below the 2,500 initially pledged. The plan envisions the creation of a UN Support Office that would provide essential logistical resources, including drones, transportation, and fuel, to strengthen ground operations.
The humanitarian crisis in Haiti remains dire: more than 1.3 million people are internally displaced, and UNICEF reports a 700% increase in child recruitment by gangs, with children now making up nearly half of gang membership. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly stressed the urgency of a stronger international response, backed by consistent funding and logistics.
What could make this new mission different?
A force better equipped and supported by the UN, combined with sustainable logistical backing, could help reclaim key territories and strengthen the Haitian National Police. This would not only restore legitimate authority but also create the conditions for the resumption of basic services and, eventually, democratic processes.
