U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres announced that he plans to ask the United Nations to cover the structural and logistical costs associated with a multinational force intended to combat violent gangs in Haiti. This announcement was made during a late Wednesday gathering in Barbados, which hosted leaders from a 15-member Caribbean trade organization called Caricom. The discussions at the three-day conference primarily focused on issues such as rampant gang violence in Haiti.
Guterres expressed optimism about the proposal, stating that if the Security Council approves it, there would finally be a framework for an effective force to address gang violence in Haiti and foster an environment conducive to democracy. He also mentioned that compensation for the personnel of the multinational force would be sourced from an existing trust fund.
According to U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the proposed assistance will encompass logistical support and non-lethal equipment, with a comprehensive plan expected to be presented by the end of February. Dujarric emphasized that the operation should not be classified as a peacekeeping mission, despite the current structure likely remaining unchanged. Moreover, he noted that Guterres maintains his viewpoint regarding a potential U.N. peacekeeping mission as a last resort option.
Currently, the U.N.-backed initiative involves approximately 800 Kenyan police officers, along with troops and police from Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador, collaborating with Haiti’s National Police. Haiti, in conjunction with the U.S., has voiced concerns over the mission, which began in June, stating it is severely under-resourced and short-staffed, leading to calls for a U.N. peacekeeping mission to be instituted in its place.
On Thursday, Haiti’s government reported that its presidential adviser, Laurent Saint-Cyr, met with Guterres to reiterate the country’s appeal for a U.N. peacekeeping force. Additionally, it communicated that Haiti’s transitional presidential council continues to be dedicated to addressing the ongoing crisis, pursuing constitutional reforms, organizing general elections, and responding to urgent humanitarian needs.
Under the Biden administration, approximately $600 million has been allocated to the mission. However, future funding under President Donald Trump remains uncertain, even though U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed that the administration intends to maintain financial support for the initiative and has encouraged affluent nations to enhance their contributions.
The debate around providing support for Haiti comes amid a surge in violence, with gangs committing at least four significant massacres recently that resulted in hundreds of deaths. Guterres condemned the dire situation, labeling it as “appalling,” and remarked that gangs are causing extreme distress among the populace. He emphasized the importance of supporting a political process that is led by Haitians and aims to restore democratic institutions through elections.
However, the International Crisis Group, based in Belgium, cautioned against the notion of holding elections too soon, especially given the ongoing surge in gang violence. Haiti is currently governed by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and a nine-member transitional presidential council whose term is set to conclude on February 7, 2026. The country has not held any elections for nearly ten years, and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in June 2021 left the nation without an elected leader.
While the council has expressed intentions to conduct elections by February 2026, critics argue that this goal is overly ambitious given that gangs control around 85% of Haiti’s capital. Leslie Voltaire, president of the council, recently stated his belief that elections could be feasible on November 15, with runoffs taking place early the following year, but only in eight out of ten regions free from gang influence.
The International Crisis Group highlighted that the timeline for elections is reliant on funding from both the Haitian government and foreign donors, noting that only $45 million has been allocated thus far out of the estimated $90 million to $120 million required. They warned that numerous obstacles remain in the path toward holding elections, citing partisan conflicts and allegations of corruption as contributors to the prolonged political paralysis.
The situation has escalated to alarming levels, with reports indicating that over 5,600 individuals lost their lives in Haiti last year, and gang-related violence has compelled more than a million Haitians to flee their homes. Mia Amor Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados and Caricom chairperson, stressed the ongoing and serious plight faced by the Haitian people, asserting that merely scheduling elections for November 15 or stabilizing the security framework in Haiti will not suffice to address the complex crisis effectively.
