In the heart of the Caribbean, Haiti is once again making global headlines—not for its vibrant culture or storied history, but for a crisis that has left millions of its citizens in a state of fear and uncertainty. As of October 20, 2025, the country finds itself at the center of a violent struggle marked by gang warfare, political instability, and a breakdown of law enforcement, putting the nation’s very fabric to the test. Amidst swirling rumors and real threats, the newly formed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) has stepped into the fray, determined to restore order and offer hope to a beleaguered population.
The GSF, a multinational security mission authorized by the United Nations Security Council, was officially launched with a 12-month mandate and a force of 5,550 personnel. Its mission: to work alongside Haitian authorities to secure critical infrastructure, support humanitarian aid, and neutralize the powerful gangs that have seized control of key urban areas. According to UN News, the resolution authorizing the GSF was co-sponsored by Panama and the United States, reflecting the broad international consensus that something had to be done to prevent further violence and displacement of vulnerable populations.
Just days ago, reports began circulating that Kenyan police officers—part of the GSF deployment—had been killed during the latest operations in Haiti. The rumors gained traction quickly, fueled by the intensity of recent clashes and the general sense of chaos enveloping the country. However, the Gang Suppression Force moved swiftly to set the record straight. In a statement issued on October 20, the GSF confirmed that all its personnel were safe, stressing, “No Kenyan officer had lost their life during the latest engagement.” The force explained that its teams, working jointly with the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H), had faced heavy resistance from the notorious Gran-Griff gang in the Artibonite Department—specifically along the Petite-Rivière-Liancourt-Pont Sondé route.
During this high-stakes operation, the GSF and Haitian security forces encountered intense exchanges of fire as gang members dug trenches and occupied tall buildings, hurling Molotov cocktails at the advancing security teams. Despite these tactics, specialized GSF units, recently renamed from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), managed to neutralize the threats with the support of the Haitian National Police. The area was secured, transport corridors were reopened, and the safe delivery of armored vehicles to nearby police posts was facilitated—restoring a measure of normalcy, at least for now.
Still, the specter of violence is never far behind. The GSF’s clarification came in the wake of several tragic incidents involving both Kenyan and Haitian officers since the deployment began. On August 31, 2025, Kenyan officer Corporal Kennedy Mutuku Nzuve died after a road accident in Pétion-Ville during a recovery operation. A week earlier, on August 20, two elite Haitian SWAT officers serving alongside their Kenyan counterparts were killed by a “kamikaze” drone explosion at their base in Kenscoff, with two others injured. Earlier in the year, on February 23, another Kenyan officer attached to the then-MSS mission died after being wounded during a security operation in the Artibonite region. These incidents underscore the dangers faced by those on the front lines—and the fine line between rumor and reality in a conflict zone.
But what exactly is driving Haiti’s descent into chaos? According to a detailed analysis published by UN News, the current crisis is the result of a perfect storm: gangs have seized control of major urban centers, launching coordinated attacks on government buildings, residential neighborhoods, and strategic infrastructure. Their operations often follow a “strike-and-run” pattern, minimizing casualties among attackers while maximizing disruption and fear among civilians. The Haitian National Police, under-resourced and overwhelmed, has struggled to maintain order, with leadership under siege and morale at an all-time low. The state’s capacity to protect its citizens has rapidly eroded, prompting the international community to act.
The GSF’s deployment marks a significant shift in strategy. While the previous MSS mission—led by Kenya—focused on supporting the National Police with resources and personnel, it was severely underfunded and unable to deploy its full force of 2,500 people. The GSF, by contrast, is larger, better funded, and equipped with a broader mandate, making it easier for those on the ground to operate effectively. Yet, as United Nations officials have repeatedly emphasized, “this task force alone is insufficient to address the country’s multifaceted crisis.”
Indeed, Haiti’s woes extend far beyond the reach of any military operation. The country continues to grapple with the aftermath of devastating earthquakes, a collapsing economy, widespread poverty, near-famine conditions, and the absence of a functioning government since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The gangs themselves have adopted asymmetric guerrilla warfare tactics, including strategic ambushes, acts of terrorism, and the use of lightweight, deadly small arms. These tactics have enabled rapid mobilization and high-impact violence, particularly in urban areas, and have included the public mutilation and execution of police officers—acts designed to eliminate opposition and instill fear in both civilians and the remaining police force.
Scholars continue to debate the root causes of Haiti’s conflict. Some, like Ted Gurr, argue that the rebellions are driven by legitimate grievances such as political exclusion and economic inequality. Others, following Paul Collier’s theory, contend that many insurgencies are motivated by greed, with leaders exploiting civilians and gang members for personal gain under the guise of political struggle. In Haiti, both arguments seem to hold water: the gangs’ demands for political influence and their efforts to reshape the government address real grievances, but their reliance on criminal enterprises and violent coercion points to more opportunistic motives.
So, what’s the way forward? International actors and Haitian leaders alike agree that military intervention is only part of the solution. As emphasized by UN News, “a multi-pronged approach, combining security, governance reform, economic development, and humanitarian aid, is essential to address the country’s deep-rooted challenges.” The success of the GSF will depend on its ability to integrate into broader strategies for rebuilding institutions and restoring public trust. Long-term investments in Haiti’s political and social infrastructure must go hand in hand with efforts to empower Haitian civil society. Local leaders, organizations, and communities must be at the center of the rebuilding process, as lasting peace cannot be imposed from the outside.
For now, the GSF’s presence offers a glimmer of hope in a landscape too often defined by despair. But as Haiti’s recent history has shown, the road to stability is long and fraught with peril. Only by addressing the full spectrum of the country’s challenges—security, governance, development, and social cohesion—can Haitians and their international partners hope to build a future worthy of the nation’s rich heritage and resilient spirit.