The newly established Gang Suppression Force (GSF)
in Haiti received a boost with 20 new Armored Personnel Carriers from the USA.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2793
(2025), adopted on 30 September 2025, authorized the transition of the
Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into the newly established Gang
Suppression Force (GSF) for an initial period of 12 months.
The USA government delivered 20 additional new
Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), with five already deployed to the Artibonite
area, demonstrating continued international confidence in and support for the
GSF’s mission.
These reinforcements highlight the GSF’s
determination, under its strengthened mandate, to reshape the security
environment and enhance operational effectiveness across Haiti, officials said.
“This transition reflects the lessons learned from
the MSS mission and introduces an expanded mandate and strengthened operational
framework for the GSF,” a statement said.
The GSF operates under a more robust and comprehensive mandate, which includes enhanced Capacity and Composition with the deployment of up to 5,500 uniformed personnel and 50 civilian staff that will ensure wider operational reach and improved coordination.
There is also independent and coordinated operations.
Under this, GSF has the authority to conduct intelligence-led, targeted counter-gang operations, either independently or jointly with the Haitian National Police and the Haitian Armed Forces, with the authority to arrest and detain suspected gang members in accordance with international law and human rights standards.
They also conduct Protection of Critical
Infrastructure and Humanitarian Access with responsibilities to safeguard key
facilities such as airports, ports, hospitals and schools, protect transit
routes and ensure unhindered humanitarian access.
The team will offer a support to national
institutions by strengthening the institutional and operational capacities of
the HNP and FAd’H, while facilitating conditions conducive to free and fair
elections and long-term stability.
A central component of the resolution is the
creation of the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH), which is to be
fully operational within six months. UNSOH will provide essential logistical,
medical, and operational support, ensuring the effective implementation of the
GSF’s mandate.
The establishment of the GSF has signified a firm
and collective commitment by all stakeholders to the principle that the people
of Haiti deserve and have the right to live in peace and security.
During this transition, operations and patrols
have proceeded seamlessly, with all former MSS personnel successfully
integrated into the GSF framework, hence ensuring no security vacuum that could
be exploited by criminal gangs. The synergy is uninterrupted and stronger than
ever.
As part of this transition, the GSF is rebranding
all former MSS social media handles, communication channels, logos, flag and
insignia to reflect its new identity and mandate.
Whereas this might take some time, our commitment to share with you the development remains.
The flow of information to the public and
stakeholders will continue unhindered and uninterrupted, maintaining the same
level of transparency, engagement, and responsiveness as before, the team on
the ground said.
Kenya is among countries
whose personnel are already on the ground since June 2024.
They said the GSF continues to work closely with
the HNP and FAd’H, including recent logistical operations supporting police
officers in the Artibonite Region.
Of particular note is the enhanced 24-hour security now put in place at the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, in the Artibonite Valley, which serves approximately 350,000 people and maintains a 200-bed capacity.
”The GSF remains steadfast in maintaining
stability and public safety through round-the-clock PHN, FAd’H and
GSF joint patrols in Downtown, Kenscoff, Telcof, Furcy, Viv Mitchel, the
National Police Academy, the Airport area, Delmas, Petit Rivière and
Pont-Sonde,” a statement said.
