Blackwater Founder Mobilizes Nearly 200 Personnel to Tackle Rising Gang Violence in Haiti

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A security firm run by former U.S. Navy Seal Erik Prince plans to send nearly 200 personnel to Haiti. This move aims to tackle the ongoing gang violence plaguing the country.

The firm, Vectus Global, is set to help the Haitian government regain control of areas taken over by gangs, which have become increasingly powerful over the last year. Reports indicate that this deployment will also involve long-term advice for rebuilding the government’s revenue collection systems once the violence lessens.

Fritz Alphonse Jean, who previously led Haiti’s transitional presidential council, acknowledged the use of foreign contractors but did not specify details about the deal.

Romain Le Cour Grandmaison, from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, raised concerns about legalities. He said operations like this could violate U.S. law unless authorized by the U.S. government. Without a clear joint strategy, he believes these private firms may disrupt local authority instead of solving the crisis.

A Trump administration official mentioned that the U.S. government has no role in Vectus Global’s contract and isn’t providing funding or oversight.

The contractors will support Haiti’s National Police and a U.N. mission led by Kenyan police. However, this mission currently has about 991 personnel, far short of the 2,500 needed, and only $112 million in funding, a fraction of the estimated $800 million required annually.

This news follows André Jonas Vladimir Paraison’s recent appointment as the new police director general. Paraison, previously in charge of security for Haiti’s National Palace, has been involved in a task force using private contractors to combat gang violence, although this group operates outside standard police oversight.

Analysts express caution. Diego Da Rin from the International Crisis Group warns that anti-gang efforts might escalate conflict without enough manpower. The rise of the Viv Ansanm federation, formed by uniting rival gangs, has emphasized this risk.

Viv Ansanm has undertaken large-scale attacks, including raids on prisons that released around 4,000 inmates. This gang also temporarily shut down Haiti’s main airport and contributed to the resignation of Haiti’s former Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Recent data highlights the severe impact of gang violence. From April to June, over 1,500 people were killed, with more than 600 injured. Notably, over 60% of these incidents occurred during security operations against gangs. Additionally, the violence has forced around 1.3 million people to flee their homes.

As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial to monitor how these private deployments affect gang dynamics and local governance in Haiti.



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