Gangs have been on the rise in Haiti, prompting international intervention with Guatemalan support to restore order.
Guatemalan Troops Deployed to Haiti Amid Rising Gang Violence
Guatemalan Troops Deployed to Haiti Amid Rising Gang Violence
150 Soldiers Land in Port-au-Prince to Support International Security Efforts
Guatemalan security forces have officially landed in Haiti, arriving in the capital, Port-au-Prince, with the mission of restoring stability in the violence-riddled nation. A contingent of 150 soldiers, divided into two groups of 75, made their way to Haiti as part of a broader international effort to combat the rampant gang violence that has plagued the country for months. This deployment comes at a critical time, as a state of emergency has been declared across Haiti due to escalating violence linked to armed gangs.
The Guatemalan soldiers, all drawn from the military police, have come to bolster a United Nations-backed security operation led by Kenya. Since the initial deployment of nearly 400 Kenyan police officers in mid-2022, the mission has struggled to effectively quell the surge in violence. These troops represent the initial phase of a larger international force, which is expected to number around 2,500 officers from various countries, all aimed at stabilizing Haiti.
In addition to the Guatemalan forces, a small contingent from Jamaica, Belize, and El Salvador has also been sent to support the operations. The United States remains the largest financial contributor to this multinational effort. The situation in Haiti has worsened dramatically over the last few years, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and a series of catastrophic natural disasters, leaving the country in a state of chronic instability.
Recent incidents highlight the severity of the crisis, including the storming of two major prisons by armed gangs in March 2024, which resulted in the escape of roughly 3,700 inmates. Encompassing Port-au-Prince, the Ouest Department was first placed under a state of emergency on March 3, reflecting widespread insecurity and deteriorating governance.
As the international community reacts to Haiti's turmoil, the arrival of Guatemalan troops signals a concerted effort to confront the deeply rooted issues of violence and lawlessness that have plagued the nation for far too long.
The Guatemalan soldiers, all drawn from the military police, have come to bolster a United Nations-backed security operation led by Kenya. Since the initial deployment of nearly 400 Kenyan police officers in mid-2022, the mission has struggled to effectively quell the surge in violence. These troops represent the initial phase of a larger international force, which is expected to number around 2,500 officers from various countries, all aimed at stabilizing Haiti.
In addition to the Guatemalan forces, a small contingent from Jamaica, Belize, and El Salvador has also been sent to support the operations. The United States remains the largest financial contributor to this multinational effort. The situation in Haiti has worsened dramatically over the last few years, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and a series of catastrophic natural disasters, leaving the country in a state of chronic instability.
Recent incidents highlight the severity of the crisis, including the storming of two major prisons by armed gangs in March 2024, which resulted in the escape of roughly 3,700 inmates. Encompassing Port-au-Prince, the Ouest Department was first placed under a state of emergency on March 3, reflecting widespread insecurity and deteriorating governance.
As the international community reacts to Haiti's turmoil, the arrival of Guatemalan troops signals a concerted effort to confront the deeply rooted issues of violence and lawlessness that have plagued the nation for far too long.
