A security company owned by former U.S. Navy SEAL Erik Prince is set to send around 200 personnel from different countries to Haiti to help combat gang violence, a source revealed on Thursday. Vectus Global’s deployment aims to assist the Haitian government in reclaiming territories seized by armed gangs. The company, led by Prince, who is a significant donor to U.S. President Donald Trump and the founder of Blackwater, offers logistics, infrastructure, security, and defense services.
According to the insider, Vectus Global will not only provide immediate support but also take on a long-term advisory role to help Haiti rebuild its revenue collection capabilities once the violence is under control. Earlier, Haiti’s transitional presidential council leader, Fritz Alphonse Jean, mentioned the use of foreign contractors by the government without disclosing specifics.
Romain Le Cour Grandmaison from the Haiti Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime raised concerns about potential violations of U.S. law if the private military company operates in Haiti without U.S. government authorization. However, a Trump administration official clarified that the U.S. government has no part in the hiring of Vectus Global by Haiti and is not involved in funding or oversight of the contract.
The private contractors, including personnel from the U.S., Europe, and other regions, will work alongside Haiti’s National Police and a UN-backed mission led by Kenyan officers in combating gang violence. Despite the UN mission’s limited personnel and funding, efforts to control gang activities continue. The upcoming deployment coincides with the appointment of André Jonas Vladimir Paraison as Haiti’s new police director general, who has previously been involved in initiatives employing private contractors.
Amidst escalating gang violence, concerns about the potential for conflict escalation without sufficient resources have been raised. Viv Ansanm, a powerful gang federation formed by the merging of rival groups, has been a focal point. Recognized as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., Viv Ansanm poses a significant threat in Haiti.
Recent data shows a concerning rise in casualties attributed to security force operations and self-defense groups combating gang violence. With over 1,500 fatalities and 600 injuries reported between April and June, the situation in Haiti remains volatile and challenging to address effectively.