June 14, 2025
Facing a sharp rise in gang violence, the Haitian government has quietly reached a deal with Erik Prince, founder of the notorious private security firm Blackwater. His team’s mission: to use drones and other offensive technologies to target the leaders of armed groups paralyzing the country.
Prince, a controversial figure in the world of private security, has reportedly been operating in Haiti since March with his teams on the ground—though no confirmed captures or eliminations of major gang leaders have yet been reported. Nevertheless, a new shipment of weapons and the arrival of mercenaries are already in the works to escalate the offensive this summer.
According to several security experts, up to 150 private contractors could be deployed in Port-au-Prince in the coming weeks. Part of this personnel would be drawn from the Haitian military diaspora in the United States, who have already been contacted by Prince’s recruiters.
The contract reflects a strategy of asymmetric warfare, in which Haiti’s weakened authorities hope to make up for their lack of firepower through technology and outsourcing. The use of lethal drones—operated without any apparent international oversight—signals a radical turn by the transitional government.
The exact nature of the deal between Prince and the Haitian state remains unclear, particularly concerning funding sources and transparency requirements. The U.S. State Department says it is not financing the operation, though it is aware of its existence.
The initiative comes as international aid efforts stall—particularly the Kenya-led multinational security mission, which remains far from fully operational. In this security vacuum, Haiti now appears willing to take extreme measures, even if it means handing over part of its sovereignty to loosely regulated private actors.
