The Haitian government has enlisted private military contractors to work alongside Kenyan police in combating the gangs that have been destabilising the Caribbean country.
According to The New York Times, Haitian authorities signed a deal with US citizen Erik Prince, a controversial private military contractor and vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, to lead lethal operations against the combat-ready gangs that have terrorised communities and are threatening to overrun the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Haitian and American government officials confirmed that the Haitian government signed a contract with the founder of Blackwater Worldwide to take on the gangs that have been maiming civilians and seizing control of vast areas of territory.
The private contractor is expected to deploy up to 150 mercenaries to Haiti to reinforce ongoing efforts against the gangs destabilising the country. Kenyan police officers patrol the streets of APN Port on May 26, 2025.
