In view of the escalating violence and gang terror in Haiti, the United States and Panama have requested the United Nations Security Council to deploy 5,550 soldiers. This force will conduct operations against criminals in collaboration with the Haitian police and army.
World News: Violence and crime are rapidly increasing in Haiti. The dominance of criminal gangs in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has grown so much that they now control 90 percent of the area. The situation has become so dire that it is dangerous for ordinary people to even go outside.
Situation Worsened After Presidential Assassination
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has been experiencing political instability. The power vacuum has proved beneficial for criminal gangs. As a result, incidents like looting, kidnapping, sexual assault, and rape have become daily occurrences.
Why the Current Force is Inadequate
With the help of the United Nations, a multinational force led by Kenya is currently present in Haiti. The plan was to deploy 2,500 soldiers, but due to financial constraints, their numbers are currently less than 1,000. UN Secretary-General António Guterres had already stated clearly that the current force is significantly weaker compared to the strength of the gangs.
Proposal from the United States and Panama
Considering this situation, the United States and Panama have put forward a special proposal to the UN Security Council. It demands the deployment of 5,550 armed soldiers and 50 civilian experts for Haiti. The salaries of these experts will be provided through voluntary contributions from member states.
New Force to be Deployed for 12 Months
The proposal states that this force will remain deployed in Haiti for the next 12 months and will work in collaboration with the local government. This new force has also been referred to as the "Gang Suppression Force."
Role of the New Force
According to the United States and Panama, the responsibility of the new force will not be limited to security alone. This force will conduct major operations against gangs.
- It will ensure the security of airports, ports, schools, and hospitals.
- It will conduct operations alongside the Haitian police and army.
- It will prevent arms trafficking and illegal activities.
- It will arrest and detain criminals.
