GSF Declares Security Gains in Haiti, but Independent Reporting Shows Gangs Continue to Expand Control

By: Christopher Louissaint

Outlet: Haitian Prime News

Email: newsroom@haitianprimenews.com

Date: December 31, 2025

Location: Port-au-Prince

An international security force operating in Haiti claims progress in dismantling armed gangs, but verified on-the-ground reporting indicates that gang violence, territorial expansion, and civilian insecurity remain widespread as the country enters 2026.

On September 30, 2025, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2793, authorizing the transition of the Multinational Security Support mission into the Gang Suppression Force. The mandate empowers the mission to conduct intelligence-led counter-gang operations, secure critical infrastructure, and support Haitian security institutions amid escalating armed violence.

In a year-end message dated December 31, 2025, the GSF presented its assessment of the security situation, citing operational achievements and reaffirming its objectives for the coming year.

In its statement, the GSF reported that joint operations with the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti have led to arrests, weapons recoveries, and the retaking of areas previously under gang control. The mission also stated that Forward Operating Bases have been established in gang-affected neighborhoods and that day-and-night patrols have increased in and around Port-au-Prince.

According to the GSF, these actions have contributed to the reopening of some transit routes and enhanced protection of key infrastructure, including the airport, port facilities, and major communication installations.

However, the statement did not provide numerical data, maps, or independent verification to substantiate these claims.

Despite official assertions of progress, multiple indicators suggest that Haiti’s overall security environment has not improved.

Residents across Port-au-Prince continue to report gang-controlled checkpoints, armed patrols, kidnappings, and extortion. Large sections of the capital and surrounding communes remain inaccessible or dangerous for civilians, humanitarian workers, and journalists. Public transportation routes are frequently shut down due to violence, and many schools and businesses continue to operate intermittently or remain closed.

Local journalists and civil society organizations confirm that armed groups have not only retained control of key neighborhoods but have expanded into new areas over recent months. In several zones described by authorities as “secured,” gang activity has persisted without interruption.

These realities contradict claims of sustained territorial recovery and raise questions about how “security gains” are being defined and measured.

The security strategy is being driven by international decision-making structures, primarily the UN Security Council and GSF leadership, in coordination with Haitian security forces. The impact, however, is borne almost entirely by civilians.

Urban residents face restricted movement, disrupted access to healthcare and education, and continued displacement. Small businesses struggle to operate under extortion threats, while hospitals and humanitarian agencies operate under constant security constraints. For many Haitians, daily life remains shaped by fear and uncertainty rather than stability.

The most visible change has been an increased presence of international and joint patrols near strategic infrastructure and select corridors. These deployments have prioritized state and logistical assets rather than broad civilian protection.

Gang dominance over residential neighborhoods and major transport routes remains largely intact. No publicly available benchmarks exist to verify claims of territory retaken or gangs neutralized. There has been no announcement of an independent security assessment, civilian oversight mechanism, or timeline for transitioning control back to Haitian institutions.

In its year-end message, the GSF stated that it will remain focused on “dismantling gangs, restoring security and laying the foundation for lasting peace and democratic governance” in 2026. The mission also reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy but did not address civilian harm, displacement, or allegations of excessive force.

Confirmed: The release of the GSF year-end statement and the continued deployment of international forces under Resolution 2793. Not independently verified: Claims of security improvement, territorial recovery, arrest figures, and long-term stabilization outcomes.

GSF operations are expected to continue into 2026 under the current mandate. No formal review date, public reporting requirement, or independent audit has been announced. As international forces emphasize progress, Haitians on the ground continue to measure security by a simpler standard: whether they can move, work, and live without fear—conditions that, for now, remain largely unmet.

Sources:

Gang Suppression Force New Year Message, December 31, 2025 UN Security Council Resolution 2793 Ongoing reporting from Port-au-Prince residents, Haitian journalists, and civil society organizations

Haitian Prime News will continue to report on security developments with an emphasis on verification, civilian impact, and governance accountability.