Controversy
Status:Open
Will Haiti's Gang Suppression Force Reduce Violence in 2026?
UNLIKELYLIKELY
Claims
Gang Suppression Force“The new mandate empowers us to neutralise gang threats, isolate criminal groups from the population and their support networks, secure critical infrastructure and transit routes, and deter future gang activity.”Jan 01, 2026
Alix Didier Fils-Aimé"The Government's fight is against gangs. The government's fight is to secure the country. The state will not compromise. The state will not negotiate with criminals."Dec 30, 2025
Jimmy Chérizier“As long as [the gangs] are not at the table, the country will never be at peace”.Jan 10, 2026
William G. O'Neill“You have this whole mosaic of violent people using lethal force: the Haitian National Police, this new force, the gangs, the self-defence groups, and then the private military and their drones and snipers. That makes it even more volatile, it's not predictable at all.”Dec 10, 2025
Louis-Henri Mars“I fear that with the GSF, much more sophisticated drones will be used, with the potential of causing much more collateral damage as their use is increased.”Dec 10, 2025
International Crisis Group"Achieving armed supremacy over gangs would mark a huge breakthrough for Haiti, but unless more is done to dismantle these groups, halt their recruitment and sever their links to power, it would amount to little more than a pause in the battle."Jan 10, 2026
Jacqueline Charles"Little indicates that the GSF, consisting of 5,500 police and soldiers with the power to detain suspected gang members and 50 civilians, will be fully functional before February when violence may flare up again."Jan 06, 2026
Caribbean National Weekly"Looking ahead to 2026, the GSF said it will remain focused on dismantling gangs, restoring security, and laying the groundwork for lasting peace and democratic governance in Haiti."Jan 02, 2026
International Crisis Group"For this force to work, UN-funded assistance will be crucial."Jan 10, 2026
Isabelle Clérié"We kill them all, and then what? We party for one day, and the day after that, we’re going to kill each other."Jan 06, 2026
Jean-Marc Biquet“It makes us fear that there are no rules anymore, that the minimal respect for civilians, be it citizens, humanitarian workers, or hospitals [no longer exists]. The danger is rising.”Dec 10, 2025
Himmler Rébu“We will find ourselves in the same situation as before if the US doesn't provide the largest contingent of troops.”Dec 10, 2025
Jacqueline Charles"Haiti’s relentless gang violence isn’t just about lawlessness. It is the result of failed governance, social exclusion and fractures that the current policy framework around the GSF fails to address."Jan 06, 2026
Wolf Pamphile“My concern is that civilians will get hurt, that innocent people will die, because usually when Haiti or any Black country is in the crosshairs of police or military, there tends to be less care about collateral damage.”Dec 10, 2025
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0