Haiti: International mission to curb the wave of violence

Haiti, a country that has been repeatedly hit by violence and political instability, finds itself today in a critical situation that has led to the need for international assistance. On Tuesday, January 25, a contingent of 400 police officers from Kenya arrived in Port-au-Prince as part of an international mission to help restore order in the Caribbean nation. The presence of these Kenyan officers is in response to a resolution by the United Nations Security Council, issued in October of last year, in an effort to curb the growing wave of crime led by armed groups disguised as gangs that plague Haiti. The arrival of the Kenyan police officers marks a milestone in global solidarity, as stated by the President of Kenya, William Ruto, emphasizing the urgency and importance of this mission to support Haiti in the midst of a situation of violence and insecurity that paralyzes the daily lives of its inhabitants. Other countries such as Bangladesh, Benin, Chad, Bahamas, and Barbados have also committed to participating in this security mission aimed at providing support to the crisis-stricken Caribbean nation. Haiti faces monumental challenges, as acknowledged by the new Prime Minister, Garry Conille, upon assuming his position. Violence, insecurity, humanitarian crisis, and political instability are just some of the crises afflicting the poorest country in the Americas. In light of this situation, the arrival of aid from Africa, especially from Kenya, has raised questions about the reasons that lead a country located in the east of the African continent to provide support to a Caribbean nation thousands of kilometers away. Fausto Carbajal, associate founder of Delphi Solutions, highlights that Kenya's participation in this mission to aid Haiti is part of an international projection by the Kenyan government, seeking to strengthen its ties and presence on the global stage. He also points out that this collaboration is part of a strategic alliance with the United States, which has supported the security mission in Haiti and has urged other countries to join this joint effort to ensure stability and security in the Caribbean nation. US President Joe Biden has welcomed the arrival of the Kenyan police contingent in Haiti and has called on more nations to join this support initiative. Countries like Spain, the United Kingdom, Benin, Canada, France, Germany, and Turkey have also committed to providing assistance in this security mission, with the United States providing significant funding for equipment and logistical support. The situation in Haiti goes beyond gang violence, as highlighted by Carbajal, with this being just the tip of the iceberg of a deeper crisis that includes the lack of legitimacy in the country's political class and the constant protests against it. Amid the fight against armed groups in Haiti, the leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, Joly Germine, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison in the United States for weapons smuggling and money laundering. This conviction underscores the complexity of the situation in Haiti and the need to address not only gang violence but also the corruption and impunity that have permeated Haitian society. Germine, nicknamed "The King," was running weapons smuggling operations from a prison in Haiti, revealing the extent of the security crisis in the country. The conviction of Germine and others involved in arms smuggling reflects the connection between violence in Haiti and its impact on other countries, such as the United States, where citizens have been kidnapped by Haitian gangs. The illegal arms trade and transnational collaboration in criminal activities highlight the complexity of the challenges facing Haiti and the need for a coordinated international response to address this multidimensional crisis affecting the Haitian population. With the increase in gang violence in Haiti, the number of displaced persons in the country has increased by 60% in the last three months, according to United Nations data. The presence of armed groups that control much of the Haitian capital has plunged the population into a state of fear and vulnerability, demanding an urgent and effective response from the international community to protect Haitian citizens and restore peace and security in the most violence-ridden country in the Americas.