The United States is seeking approval from the United Nations Security Council for the creation of a specialized Gang Suppression Force to help tackle spiraling violence in Haiti. The announcement was made on Thursday, August 28, by Acting US Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, during a high-level meeting in New York.
Shea praised the Kenyan police contingent currently leading the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, highlighting their role in stabilizing the Caribbean nation at a time when armed gangs continue to wreak havoc. “Without Kenya’s leadership, gangs would have been even more emboldened in their ambitions to commit atrocities against Haitian citizens,” she told the council.
The Ambassador revealed that Washington and Panama were preparing to circulate a draft resolution calling for the establishment of the Gang Suppression Force. While she stopped short of confirming whether MSS personnel would be absorbed into the new force, sources indicate that the mission could be expanded and restructured, with additional troops and logistical support, to form the backbone of the proposed anti-gang unit.
This move comes as gangs tighten their grip on large swathes of Haiti, undermining state authority and displacing thousands of civilians. Analysts believe the new force will focus on reclaiming gang-controlled territories and securing critical infrastructure to enable the government to reassert control.
In a parallel development, reports have surfaced linking Vectus Globa, a private security firm run by former US Navy SEAL Erik Prince, to plans of deploying 200 contractors in Haiti. The firm, known for providing defense and logistical services, is said to be in talks to support the Haitian government’s fight against gangs. Prince, a close ally of former US President Donald Trump, has previously been associated with controversial security operations in conflict zones.
Kenya’s police force remains central to the current mission. The first contingent arrived in June 2024, though their numbers remain under 1,000 well below the target of 2,500 officers expected by the end of 2025. Their role, alongside the proposed Gang Suppression Force, could prove decisive in breaking the cycle of gang violence that has crippled Haiti’s economy and governance.
