Mission Against Gangs in Haiti

In a troubling development, troops deployed to Haiti as part of the new Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission have been unable to return fire during gang attacks due to the absence of turrets on their vehicles. This situation raises concerns about the potential for political interests to exploit public frustration and destabilize the fragile consensus in the country. The MSS aims to support the Haitian National Police, with the goal of enhancing their capacity to combat gang violence by the mission's conclusion. MSS officials assert that once the mission reaches full operational capability, the threat posed by gangs will diminish significantly. However, recent reports indicate that the situation remains dire, with police chief Normil announcing that over 100 alleged gang members have been killed and 65 arrested in recent operations. Despite these efforts, residents like Estinfort express despair, recounting harrowing experiences of gang violence and a lack of timely police response during attacks on their communities. The MSS spokesperson clarified that they were not called to intervene in the recent incidents, and the Haitian National Police did not provide comments on the matter. Observers note that the MSS's presence and infrastructure symbolize international support for Haiti's police forces, which is crucial for building confidence among security personnel. Efforts to address the issue of child involvement in gangs are also underway, with UNICEF and Haiti's child protection agency signing a protocol to manage the estimated 30% to 50% of gang members who are minors. This initiative highlights the multifaceted challenges facing Haiti as it grapples with gang violence and seeks to restore order.