The UN Security Council has approved an expanded 5,550-member international force to combat escalating gang violence in Haiti, converting the existing Kenya-led mission into “gang suppression forces” with the authority to arrest gang members. The vote passed with 12 in favor, while Russia, China, and Pakistan abstained. US Ambassador Mike Waltz emphasized that the resolution offers hope as gang power has surged since President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in 2021.
The gangs now control 90% of Port-au-Prince and have expanded their criminal activities. Panama’s UN Ambassador expressed optimism that the new force would help restore security, but China criticized the US for not fulfilling financial commitments to peacekeeping. Russia also voiced concerns about the potential risks of the mission.
The resolution, adopted under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, allows for military enforcement and collaboration with Haitian authorities. The new force, consisting of 5,500 personnel, is aimed at neutralizing gangs, supporting human rights, and securing vital infrastructure. The Haitian transitional government welcomed the resolution as a pivotal step in addressing the country’s security crisis.
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