The international effort to restore stability in Haiti received a significant boost with the arrival of 70 soldiers from El Salvador on February 4. The troops, equipped with medical supplies, join the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) led by Kenya. Their primary role will be to assist with medical evacuations during anti-gang operations in the Caribbean nation, which has been plagued by rising violence.
This latest deployment reinforces the MSS, which already includes personnel from Kenya, Guatemala, Jamaica, Belize, and the Bahamas. The Salvadoran contingent, known for its expertise in air support, will significantly enhance the mission’s ability to conduct casualty evacuations. Helicopters from El Salvador are expected to arrive by the end of the week, further strengthening the operational capabilities of the mission.
Upon arrival in Port-au-Prince, the new forces were received by key figures, including local police chief Rameau Nomil, MSS force commander Godfrey Otunge, and members of the diplomatic corps. French ambassador Antoine Michon and Canadian ambassador André François Giroux were among the dignitaries present at the welcoming ceremony.
Haiti remains under a state of emergency as the government struggles to contain the escalating gang violence. Heavily armed criminal groups recently launched an assault on an elite neighborhood that had previously remained largely untouched. This attack, which occurred on February 3, resulted in at least 40 deaths, further highlighting the urgent need for international intervention.
Despite the presence of nearly 600 Kenyan police officers, who were the first to arrive under the UN-approved mission, violence continues to surge. The full deployment of 2,500 officers from various countries is expected to bolster efforts to reclaim gang-controlled areas. However, security analysts warn that even if the mission successfully dislodges the gangs, a long-term security presence is necessary to prevent their return.
Concerns about the mission’s effectiveness persist, particularly given Haiti’s history of chronic instability, dictatorship, and natural disasters. The country remains the poorest in the Americas, with armed gangs exploiting weak governance and displacing over a million people. Last year alone, gang violence claimed more than 5,600 lives.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the United Nations to consider deploying a dedicated peacekeeping force to Haiti. This proposal follows his recent meeting with Leslie Voltaire, president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council. As international forces work to stabilize the country, the success of the MSS will depend on sustained efforts and strategic long-term planning.
