Some of the new armoured vehicles delivered to Haiti by US government/US EMBASSY IN HAITIThe United States has delivered a new fleet of 20 armoured vehicles to Haiti, just weeks after President William Ruto criticised Washington for previously supplying second-hand vehicles to the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission.
The vehicles were delivered through the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
The delivery forms part of renewed efforts to bolster the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) — the MSS successor — and the Haitian National Police (HNP) in their fight against violent gangs that have paralysed large parts of the country.
According to a statement from the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince, the delivery “reaffirms America’s commitment to Haiti’s security and to the international coalition supporting the restoration of law and order.”
The move follows President Ruto’s remarks during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Addressing the high-level meeting, Ruto commended the US for its support to the MSS mission in Haiti but faulted it for providing used vehicles that frequently broke down.
“I must commend the United States; they did make available logistics and vehicles. But unfortunately, most of the vehicles were second-hand, and therefore, they broke down many times. In fact, it put our personnel in great danger when they broke down in very dangerous places,” Ruto said.
His comments followed a tragic incident on 31 August 2025, in which a Kenyan police officer was killed and eight others injured in a road accident along the Kenscoff–Pétion-Ville road at Perlerin 9.
The officers had been towing a faulty MaxxPro armoured vehicle when the mishap occurred.
The delivery of new vehicles comes as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently authorised the establishment of a new multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to replace the MSS, whose one-year mandate ended in September.
The newly approved GSF will comprise 5,500 police and military officers and will operate under a restructured command framework, supported by a UN Technical Office and a new UN Support Office in collaboration with the Organisation of American States (OAS).
The UNSC resolution was passed with 12 votes in favour and three abstentions, including Russia and China.
The new force will have a civilian special representative to provide oversight, coordinate logistics, and strengthen cooperation between the GSF and Haitian authorities.
Kenyan police first arrived in Haiti in June 2024 as part of the MSS mission authorised by the United Nations to help restore order amid gang violence and political instability.
The latest US move is seen as a direct response to the concerns raised by Ruto and an effort to restore confidence among troop-contributing countries amid growing scrutiny over the mission’s safety standards and operational efficiency.
The fate of the Kenyan police officers in the country remains unknown. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said they are waiting for communication from the relevant authorities regarding the fate of more than 800 officers serving in Haiti.
“We are waiting for directions from the relevant agencies. Then we will know what will happen. Remember such directions are issued by the UN Security Council,” he said.
