Multinational police force deployed to strengthen security in Artibonite, Haiti

GONAÏVES – A contingent of 100 police officers from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), composed largely of Kenyan officers, has been deployed to Haiti’s Artibonite Department to assist the Haitian National Police (PNH) in operations against powerful gangs , especially Kokorat San Ras and Gran Grif, two of the most feared criminal groups in the department. The deployment, part of the larger effort to curb escalating gang violence in the country, began on Tuesday in Gonaïves and Saint-Marc.

The newly installed PNH branch director, Kalerbe Exantus, confirmed that the Kenyan MSS officers were deployed to strengthen local security forces.

“The focus is on dismantling the Kokorat San Ras and Grand Grif gangs, which terrorize families in the region, especially in L’Estère, Liancourt, Saint-Marc, Pont-Sondé, Petite-Rivière, La Croix Périsse, Terre- Neuve and Gros-Morne,” the new department director told a group of local reporters.

“Our goal is to eradicate these gangs and restore peace among the people of Artibonite,” he said. “The MSS police, together with specialized units of the Haitian police, will make that possible,” assured Exantus, who replaced Jean Louis Paul Ménard in the role after the massacre carried out by the Gran Grif gang on October 3 in Pont-Sondé was orchestrated.

The joint operations come as Artibonite has become a hotspot for criminal activity, with gangs regularly killing people, burning homes and farms and extorting residents and businesses.

In August, after gang members from Kokorat San Ras carried out a massacre in two towns in Gros-Morne, they demanded ransoms from families, charging up to $298 per household for “protection.” They have also disrupted crucial transportation routes by extorting truck drivers on National Road #1, a major artery connecting northern Haiti to the rest of the country, especially the capital Port-au-Prince.

Acceleration of gang violence in Artibonite

In recent months, the Kokorat San Ras and Gran Grif gangs have expanded their hold on Artibonite, setting up illegal checkpoints and wreaking havoc on the once peaceful communities. Residents are terrified and many have fled the area or complied with the gang’s extortion demands out of fear for their lives.

The gangs’ presence was particularly destructive in Liancourt, Pont-Sondé, Terre-Neuve and Gros-Morne, where at least 200 people were killed in a wave of violence between June and October.

According to Exantus, one objective of the joint PNH-MSS operation is to prevent the gang from occupying strategic points on National Road #1 and driving them from their strongholds.

On the morning of the first contingent deployment of the MSS, officers raided a stronghold of Kokorat San Ras in the first communal area of ​​La Croix Périsse on National Road No. 1. The operation began around 4 a.m. and was intended to regain occupied territory to beat the gang.

Despite their efforts, no arrests were made, but several houses and vehicles were set on fire during the clashes. According to department director Exantus, one police officer was injured.

“The operation is expected to continue until the gang’s influence is completely eradicated,” he said. “We will not stop until the roads are safe again.”

Local protests and community frustration

As the security operation unfolded, dozens of residents gathered in front of the Toussaint Louverture police station in Gonaïves, demanding more decisive police action against the gangs. Similarly, residents of L’Estère and surrounding areas have long complained about increasing lawlessness in the region, accusing authorities of not doing enough to protect them.

“We are ready to confront the Kokorat San Ras gang ourselves if necessary, but we need the full support of the National Police,” said Jobed Jeannite, a protest organizer. “The people cannot continue to live under the thumb of these criminals.”

The Artibonite region, especially Gonaïves and Saint-Marc, faces persistent security challenges. Gangs are gaining strength due to the weakening of law enforcement and economic instability plaguing the country. Residents see the deployment of MSS officers as a crucial step toward restoring regional order. Yet many remain skeptical given PNH’s multinational strength and limited logistical capacity and financial resources.

Due to the existing challenges of the MSS, the US proposed transforming it into a UN mission to secure more stable funding and resources. Yet the plan was scrapped after China and Russia threatened to veto a resolution, arguing that the MSS should be given more time to establish itself before any transformation into a UN operation is considered.

The deployment of Kenyan officers to Artibonite follows similar security measures implemented in other parts of Haiti. As part of the MSS mission, the officers are tasked with restoring stability to the regions most affected by gang violence and providing much-needed support to the PNH, which is under pressure due to the ongoing crisis.

In addition to Kenya, the MSS mission includes troops from Jamaica and Belize. Other Caribbean countries have pledged to contribute personnel, but their participation has been postponed due to the financial constraints of the non-UN mission.

El Salvador recently announced its intention to join the mission, which the UN Security Council extended for a year last week. The broader goal is to contain the gangs and stabilize key urban centers, allowing the government to regain control of vital infrastructure such as roads and ports.

El Salvador’s expertise in fighting crime comes after years of significant success in reducing gang violence at home under President Bukele’s government. Once considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, El Salvador has reached a murder rate of 2.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the safest country in Latin America, according to Radio France Internationale (RFI).

Despite the challenges, Exantus remains optimistic. “With the support of our international partners, we can bring peace back to the country, especially in Port-au-Prince and Artibonite,” he said.

“But it will take time and sustained effort to really make a difference.”

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