The United States and Panama are pressing the UN Security Council to greenlight a robust 5,550-member force to tackle Haiti’s spiraling gang violence, with explicit powers to detain and arrest gang members. This bold proposal, outlined in a draft resolution obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, aims to transform the struggling Kenya-led multinational force currently deployed in Haiti into a larger, more effective operation.

Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has descended into chaos, with gangs seizing control of 90% of Port-au-Prince and extending their reign of terror into rural areas. Looting, kidnappings, sexual assaults, and rapes have surged, leaving the country without a president and its institutions crumbling. The Kenya-led force, which began operations in June 2024 with a planned strength of 2,500 troops, has been hamstrung by funding shortages, currently operating with fewer than 1,000 personnel.

The six-page draft resolution, backed by Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea, acknowledges Kenya’s efforts but echoes UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ February assessment that the mission has failed to keep pace with the gangs’ rapid expansion. Shea, who announced the U.S. push for a new Gang Suppression Force on August 28, emphasized the need for urgent action to restore stability.

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The proposed force, comprising 5,500 uniformed personnel and 50 civilians, would operate for an initial 12-month period in cooperation with Haiti’s government. Funded by voluntary contributions, it would conduct intelligence-led operations to “neutralize, isolate, and deter” gangs threatening civilians, human rights, and Haitian institutions. The resolution does not specify which nations would contribute troops or police, leaving open questions about the force’s composition.

Beyond direct gang suppression, the force would secure critical infrastructure, including airports, ports, schools, and hospitals, while supporting Haiti’s police and armed forces. It would also aid efforts to curb illicit arms trafficking, a key driver of gang power. With Haiti’s humanitarian crisis deepening—1.3 million displaced and 6 million in need of aid—the proposal underscores the urgency of international intervention.

As the Security Council deliberates, concerns linger about Haiti’s sovereignty and the legacy of past foreign missions, including a UN operation linked to a deadly cholera outbreak. The success of this new force hinges on funding, oversight, and genuine cooperation with Haitian authorities.

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