January 8, 2025
“Welcome to Haiti,” declared the President of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), Leslie Voltaire, as he welcomed dozens of Guatemalan and Salvadoran police officers at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on January 3, 2024. This arrival marks a critical step in the fight against the insecurity paralyzing the country. Accompanied by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, National Police Director General Normil Rameau, the Head of the Multinational Mission, General Godfrey Otunga, and U.S. Ambassador Dennis B. Hankins, President Voltaire praised the presence of these foreign reinforcements, expressing his confidence in their ability to collaborate with local and international forces to restore peace and stability in Haiti.
The Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by Kenya, was deployed in June 2024 to support the Haitian National Police (HNP) in response to the rise of armed gangs. Initially planned to include 2,500 personnel, the mission has faced challenges due to funding and deployment delays. To date, only 515 police and military officers, primarily from Kenya, Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador, are active on the ground. These delays, including the late payment of allowances, have further complicated the mission. Despite these obstacles, the MSS has managed to secure key infrastructures such as the airport and several roads, enabling the return of thousands of displaced persons.
However, insecurity in Haiti remains alarming. Gangs control approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince, and incidents of violence, kidnappings, and attacks on public infrastructure continue to rise. Over 578,000 people have been internally displaced, and thousands of children are unable to attend school due to insecurity. While the international mission is necessary, it has been criticized for its apparent inability to restore order in the most affected areas. Haitians, though supportive of the intervention, express frustration over the lack of significant progress.
In this context, the arrival of Guatemalan and Salvadoran police officers represents a new glimmer of hope for the Haitian population. Their integration into the MSS, alongside Kenyan and local forces, could strengthen efforts to reclaim territories held by gangs. However, strategic adjustments and increased financial support will be essential to ensure the mission’s success. The international community must intensify its efforts to ensure this initiative is not merely symbolic but becomes a real solution to Haiti’s crisis.