According to reports, powerful gangs in the country have admitted to receiving payments from senior officials with the aim of destabilising the nation.
Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, the notorious leader of the Viv Ansanm gang, alleged that the money was intended to protect the ruling regime and silence its critics.
He further claimed that one of his close associates regularly meets high-ranking leaders to coordinate financial and logistical support.
The revelations come at a critical moment as the MSS mission approaches a decision on whether it will be extended.
The mission, led by Kenya, was deployed to restore calm in a country torn apart by armed groups. However, its impact has been questioned due to challenges ranging from limited resources to the gangs’ growing power.
Concerns about the strength of these gangs have already been documented. A recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) warned that Haitian gangs are equipped with sophisticated weapons, including Russian-made AK-47s, American AR-15s, and Israeli Galil rifles.
Investigations show that most of these arms were smuggled from the United States and the Dominican Republic, leaving Haiti’s underfunded police force at a clear disadvantage.
At the same time, Haiti’s government is supporting a new proposal from the United States that could completely reshape the security strategy.
The plan suggests transforming the MSS into a permanent Gang Suppression Force (GSF) with about 5,000 members.
This new unit would have a dedicated operations office in Port-au-Prince and would focus on targeted strikes against armed groups.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé addressed the United Nations Security Council, stating that the GSF would play a central role in restoring peace, boosting the economy, and creating the conditions necessary for free and fair elections.
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