Haiti Hires Mercenaries Amid Rising Gang Violence and Security Crisis

Port-au-Prince, Haiti — After more than two years battling rising gang violence, the Haitian government has decided to hire private military contractors to restore order. Blackwater founder Erik Prince is reportedly sending up to 150 former military officers to support the government in its efforts to regain control.

While the move reflects the frustration among Haitians regarding the lack of effective responses from international allies and the United Nations, it raises concerns about the ramifications of using mercenaries. Critics warn that this approach is a risky choice, as it sets a dangerous precedent for the future of international peacekeeping efforts.

Haiti’s struggles intensified after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, exacerbating an existing vacuum of government authority. The current Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, faced major challenges, including a siege by gang coalitions in April 2024 that prevented his return to the country.

In April 2024, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) negotiated a Transitional Presidential Council aimed at uniting various political and business sectors. However, the council quickly became bogged down by corruption allegations, further complicating Haiti’s governance.

Gang control has surged since the rise of a coalition known as G9, led by Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, whose organization reportedly now dominates about 90 percent of Port-au-Prince and extends its influence into rural areas. This criminal coalition funds its operations through extortion, drug, and human trafficking.

In 2023, gang violence resulted in over 2,000 deaths, with that figure rising further in the early months of 2025. The ongoing violence has displaced more than half a million individuals and severely restricted access to vital humanitarian assistance.

The United Nations has attempted to address the crisis through a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission established in October 2023, though it fell short of creating a full-fledged peacekeeping operation. Despite this, diplomatic efforts have struggled as key members like China and Russia block broader resolutions that could alleviate the humanitarian situation.

The U.S. has committed resources to assist in the MSS mission but is currently unsure of the future of its support ahead of an expected Security Council vote in October.

As the Haitian government weighs options for restoring public safety, the reliance on mercenaries raises alarms about state sovereignty and long-term consequences for international peacekeeping initiatives.