In the heart of the Caribbean, Haiti is enduring a crisis that exemplifies the complexities of modern conflict. What began as gang violence has escalated into a nationwide struggle for power, plunging the country into chaos and testing the limits of international response. The situation raises urgent questions about the nature of civil war, the evolution of warfare, and the motivations behind insurgent violence. The United Nations Security Council is now launching a newly authorized mission titled the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

Haiti’s current crisis is marked by widespread violence, political instability, and a breakdown of law enforcement. Gangs have seized control of key urban areas, launching coordinated attacks on government buildings, residential neighborhoods, and strategic infrastructure. These operations often follow a “strike-and-run” pattern, minimizing casualties among the attackers while maximizing civilian disruption and fear. The Haitian National Police, under-resourced and overwhelmed, struggles to maintain order. With leadership under siege and morale deteriorating, the state’s capacity to protect its citizens has been rapidly eroding, contributing to the Security Council’s decision.

The GSF has a 12-month mandate and is composed of 5,550 persons. Their main goals are to work alongside Haitian authorities to secure infrastructure, support humanitarian aid, and neutralize gangs (UN News). The resolution was co-sponsored by Panama and the United States with the overarching goal to prevent the escalation of violence and displacement of vulnerable populations.

The GSF will replace the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission already in Haiti, and marks a shift in strategy by international leaders. The MSS, currently led by Kenya, has focused on supporting the National Police with resources and personnel, but is severely underfunded and has been unable to deploy the mandated force of 2,500 people. The GSF will be larger, better funded, and with a larger mandate, making the employment of personnel easier for those working on the ground.

The GSF represents a significant step toward restoring stability in Haiti. However, United Nations officials have emphasized that this task force alone is insufficient to address the country’s multifaceted crisis. Haiti continues to grapple with 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.

Member states leading the GSF initiative have stressed that the force must be part of a broader, integrated strategy. If the international community hopes to achieve lasting security in Haiti, efforts must go beyond military support. Comprehensive government reform, long-term development planning, and sustained humanitarian aid must work in tandem with the GSF to rebuild the nation’s institutions and restore public trust.

One reason the Haitian police force has been unable to deal with the gangs in Haiti thus far is because of their asymmetric tactics. The Haitian gangs have adopted guerilla warfare rather than tactics that have been previously seen in armed conflicts. This includes the use of strategic ambushes, acts of terrorism, and smaller arms.

The small arms are lightweight, easily accessible, and extremely deadly, enabling rapid mobilization with high-impact violence on civilians in urban areas. Combined with acts of terrorism, the gangs have publicly mutilated and executed police officers. These attacks have not only served to eliminate the opposition (the police force), but also to instill fear within civilians as well as the remaining police personnel.

Thus far, the motivations behind the Haitian conflict remain the subject of debate among many scholars. Ted Gurr’s theory on war suggests that the rebellions are driven by legitimate grievances, such as political exclusion and economic inequality. Paul Collier argues that many insurgencies are motivated by greed, with the leaders of conflicts exploiting civilians and gang members for personal gain under the guise of political struggle. In Haiti, the argument can be made for both theories. The gangs’ demand for political influence and their role in attempting to reshape the government do address grievances; however, their reliance on criminal enterprises and violent coercion points to more opportunistic behavior led by certain leaders. This duality complicates efforts to categorize the conflict, and often results in misleading approaches to resolving it. The lack of clear-cut reasoning behind the conflict makes it nearly impossible to appease all sides and tactfully address the qualms between the government and the various gangs.

The road to peace in Haiti will be long and complex. Military intervention alone cannot resolve the crisis. A multi-pronged approach, combining security, governance reform, economic development, and humanitarian aid, is essential to address the country’s deep-rooted challenges. International actors must commit to sustained engagement, not just short-term stabilization, to ensure that their efforts are coordinated and responsive to the realities on the ground.

The newly deployed GSF is a promising step in this direction, offering enhanced support to Haitian authorities and aiming to neutralize gang activity. However, its success will depend on whether it is integrated into a broader strategy that includes rebuilding institutions and restoring public trust. Military efforts must be matched with long-term investments in Haiti’s political and social infrastructure.

Equally important is the empowerment of Haitian civil society. Local leaders, organizations, and communities must be central to the rebuilding process, as lasting peace cannot be imposed from the outside. Inclusive, locally driven solutions that prioritize justice, transparency, and resilience offer the best hope for Haiti to emerge from its current turmoil and reclaim a future of stability and opportunity.