A newly deployed unit of 150 Guatemalan soldiers has landed in Haiti to assist in combatting escalating violence from armed gangs that have overtaken significant parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Guatemalan Troops Deploy to Haiti Amid Gang Violence Crisis
Guatemalan Troops Deploy to Haiti Amid Gang Violence Crisis
A contingent of Guatemalan soldiers arrives in Haiti to aid in stabilizing the country afflicted by gang-related chaos.
Guatemala's military police sent the first wave of 75 soldiers on Friday, followed by another 75 on Saturday, as part of an international effort to restore peace in the Caribbean nation. The deployment aligns with a United Nations-backed mission led by Kenya, which has struggled to curb the rampant violence. This international task force aims to establish order amidst Haiti's ongoing state of emergency, declared months ago due to relentless gang violence.
In addition to Guatemalan forces, Jamaica, Belize, and El Salvador have also contributed personnel to the mission, with the United States being the principal financial supporter. The international force, sanctioned by the UN, is expected to comprise about 2,500 officers from various countries.
The urgency for intervention arose after a surge in gang attacks, including a harrowing incident in March 2024 when gangs stormed the nation’s largest prisons, freeing approximately 3,700 inmates. Haiti’s longstanding cycle of political instability, worsened by natural disasters and a series of destructive regimes, has led to the country becoming the most impoverished in the Americas.
The crisis escalated further following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, resulting in a political vacuum and an increase in economic despair and gang warfare. As the situation continues to deteriorate, local authorities and the international community remain hopeful that these military efforts will effectively mitigate the violence and restore some semblance of order in Haiti.
In addition to Guatemalan forces, Jamaica, Belize, and El Salvador have also contributed personnel to the mission, with the United States being the principal financial supporter. The international force, sanctioned by the UN, is expected to comprise about 2,500 officers from various countries.
The urgency for intervention arose after a surge in gang attacks, including a harrowing incident in March 2024 when gangs stormed the nation’s largest prisons, freeing approximately 3,700 inmates. Haiti’s longstanding cycle of political instability, worsened by natural disasters and a series of destructive regimes, has led to the country becoming the most impoverished in the Americas.
The crisis escalated further following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, resulting in a political vacuum and an increase in economic despair and gang warfare. As the situation continues to deteriorate, local authorities and the international community remain hopeful that these military efforts will effectively mitigate the violence and restore some semblance of order in Haiti.
