WASHINGTON – In a significant development addressing Haiti’s security crisis, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on December 19 that international partners have committed approximately 7,500 personnel to the newly established Gang Suppression Force (GSF). The announcement came during a press conference where Rubio revealed that the pledged forces substantially exceed the initial United Nations Security Council authorization of 5,500 troops under Resolution 2793.
The robust international response follows a December 9 closed-door donor conference co-hosted by the United States and Canada at the United Nations headquarters. According to official statements, eighteen participating nations have committed personnel, financial resources, and technical expertise to support the multinational security initiative.
This security deployment aims to counter heavily armed criminal factions that have seized control of approximately 80% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. These gangs, reportedly equipped primarily with weapons smuggled from the United States, have expanded their territorial control into provincial areas, creating a devastating humanitarian emergency. The escalating violence has displaced an estimated 1.4 million Haitians from their homes and exacerbated severe food insecurity throughout the Caribbean nation.
Secretary Rubio emphasized that international donors have demonstrated strong financial support for the security mission, though specific funding amounts were not disclosed during the announcement. The enhanced troop commitments reflect growing international concern about the stabilization of Haiti’s security situation and the urgent need to address the interconnected humanitarian crisis.