Former U.S. Navy SEAL Erik Prince’s company, Vectus Global, is set to deploy nearly 200 private contractors from the U.S., Europe, and other regions to Haiti under a one-year agreement aimed at reclaiming territory seized by heavily armed gangs.
The mission, first reported by Reuters and later confirmed by a source familiar with the operation, is designed to bolster Haiti’s efforts to restore control in areas overtaken by gang violence over the past year. In addition to field operations, Vectus Global will take on a longer-term advisory role, helping the Haitian government rebuild its capacity to collect revenue once security conditions improve.
“The deployment of private contractors in Haiti highlights the growing role of non-state security forces in modern crisis zones. While their presence may help stabilize key areas, it also raises important questions about accountability, legality, and the long-term impact on national sovereignty.”
Prince, known for founding the controversial security firm Blackwater and for his political ties as a major donor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, is leading the initiative at a time when Haiti’s law enforcement faces severe challenges. The deployment will work alongside the Haitian National Police and a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police officers — a mission currently operating at less than half its intended manpower and with only 14% of its annual funding goal met.
Legal and Strategic Concerns
The move has sparked legal and diplomatic concerns. Some analysts warn that unless the U.S. government grants permission, the operation could violate U.S. law, as Vectus Global is a U.S.-based private military company. Critics also fear that using foreign contractors without a unified Haitian and international strategy could weaken the country’s sovereignty.
The Haitian government has not disclosed the value of the contract, and officials have declined to comment on the specifics.
Gang Violence at Crisis Levels
Haiti’s gang crisis is dominated by the Viv Ansanm federation — a coalition formed in September 2023 that merged rival gangs, including G-9 and G-Pèp. Designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., Viv Ansanm has carried out high-profile attacks, including mass prison breaks that freed 4,000 inmates and the months-long closure of Haiti’s main international airport.
Gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier recently issued threats against Haiti’s newly appointed police director general, André Jonas Vladimir Paraison, who previously headed a controversial task force that has operated outside the oversight of the Haitian National Police and used explosive drones in operations.
From April to June alone, at least 1,520 people were killed and more than 600 injured across Haiti, with security forces responsible for over 60% of these casualties during anti-gang operations. Gang violence has displaced around 1.3 million people in recent years.
