Blackwater Founder Returns to the Battlefield — This Time in Port-au-Prince
Haiti’s government has hired Erik Prince — founder of the infamous private military company Blackwater — to help restore control in Port-au-Prince, a city overrun by violent gangs. The deal comes amid Haiti’s deepening crisis following the collapse of its national police force and government institutions.
Prince's intervention reportedly includes the deployment of foreign contractors, drone operators, and intelligence assets. His team has been linked to direct actions that have resulted in the deaths of 200–300 gang members in recent weeks.
This move fits into a broader trend where private security firms are being contracted to handle what were once state responsibilities, especially in fragile states like Haiti. The arrangement has drawn criticism from human rights advocates, but Haitian authorities see it as a last resort to stop the violence and reclaim control.
Strategically, this reflects a growing model where “third-generation gang” environments (criminal organizations that challenge the state) are dealt with using hybrid warfare approaches — blending military tactics with private sector execution.