Expanding a deadly "gang-fighting unit" in Haiti, as suggested by the United States

The Trump administration has put forth a proposal for a "gang-suppression force" of 5,550 uniformed personnel to tackle the escalating gang violence in Haiti. The U.N. mandate for the current multinational force in Haiti is set to expire on October 2.

The proposed force, unlike the current multinational force, would have arrest and detention powers, as well as more military-grade capabilities and lethal equipment. It aims to neutralize gangs, providing the mission with the necessary tools to combat gangs and ensure the Haitian state can meet its people's basic needs.

The plan includes a U.N. office in Haiti to provide logistical and operational support. Potential contributing countries for the international security mission, as proposed by the U.S. State Department, include the United States, Canada, France, Brazil, Chile, and Jamaica. The new force would be funded and staffed by these countries, with the United States, Canada, El Salvador, and Kenya providing strategic direction.

However, it is unclear which countries will help finance the force and contribute troops, beyond the strategic direction provided by the United States, Canada, El Salvador, and Kenya. The Haitian prime minister's office and a spokesperson for the presidential council did not respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. proposal acknowledges that the current approach to controlling Haiti's gang violence is failing. The country has been experiencing a gang uprising for the past 18 months, forcing more than 1.3 million people to flee their homes and resulting in at least 8,000 deaths in the last year and a half.

The proposed force's creation comes amidst criticism of the Trump administration's handling of the Haiti situation. This criticism heightens due to a similar proposal made by the U.N. secretary-general months ago. The U.S. proposal also notes that the multinational force's resources have not been able to keep pace with the expansion of gang threats in Haiti.

The chances of the Security Council approving the new plan are slim due to potential vetoes from Russia and China. Russian and Chinese representatives have not indicated their support for the measure, and it is unclear when the Security Council will vote on it. A spokesperson for the Kenyan-led force did not return a request for comment.

Russia and China argue that Haiti's problems were created by Western meddling, and can only be solved by respecting and supporting homegrown solutions. Dorothy Shea, the acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, thanked Kenya for its efforts in Haiti and urged the U.N. Security Council to approve the measure.

In recognition of the United Nations' role in bringing cholera to Haiti during its peacekeeping mission, the proposal specifically calls for appropriate wastewater management to control the spread of waterborne diseases. The proposed force also aims to provide the mission with the necessary tools to combat gangs and ensure the Haitian state can meet its people's basic needs.

Expanding a deadly "gang-fighting unit" in Haiti, as suggested by the United States