The United Nations Security Council has approved the creation of a new, expanded international force to tackle rampant gang violence in Haiti. The resolution, passed on Tuesday with 12 votes in favor and two abstentions from China and Russia, transforms the existing Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into a larger military operation.
The new force will deploy up to 5,500 uniformed personnel, including both soldiers and police officers, making it five times bigger than the current MSS mission. Currently, just 1,000 police officers—mostly from Kenya—are operating in Haiti to support the overwhelmed national police.
The decision was co-sponsored by the United States and Panama. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz described the vote as proof that “the international community is sharing the burden” of restoring stability in Haiti.
Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council leader, Laurent Saint-Cyr, had urged the UN to take decisive action. He warned that the Caribbean nation was facing a humanitarian catastrophe, with entire neighborhoods destroyed and over a million people internally displaced. “This is the face of Haiti today, a country at war, a contemporary Guernica,” he told the Council.
The new mandate allows the force to proactively target armed gangs, secure key areas, and work towards restoring peace. To support the mission, the UN will also establish a dedicated office to handle logistics and financing, as recommended by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed optimism that with the right resources and personnel, Haiti’s security could be restored. The expanded mission will run initially for one year, subject to renewal.
Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, has been plagued by escalating violence, kidnappings, and political instability. The crisis intensified in early 2024 when armed groups forced the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
The UN hopes that this new robust mission will bring relief to millions of Haitians trapped in fear and restore a path toward political and social stability.
