CARICOM Deploys Troops to Support Security Mission in Haiti

A 21-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Joint Task Force-Haiti (CJTF-H) relief team is being deployed to Haiti to bolster the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission. The mission, authorized by a 2023 United Nations Security Council resolution, aims to combat gang violence and restore stability in the crisis-stricken nation.

Criminal gangs, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince, have intensified attacks, resulting in significant civilian casualties, including women and children.

The relief team comprises 18 members from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and three from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). They will build on the efforts of the CJTF-H advance team, which was deployed in September 2024 and is now returning home after successfully completing its mission.

Jamaica’s Colonel Kevron Henry, who led the advance team highlighted the hostile conditions faced by the team, noting that Kenyan-led operational units frequently encountered heavy gunfire and required robust logistical support. The JDF contingent played a vital role in training other personnel and maintaining Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), a key asset for MSS operations.

Other CARICOM nations contributing to the effort include the Bahamas, Guyana, Barbados, and Antigua & Barbuda. Currently, the MSS mission has 857 personnel deployed, though it falls short of its initial target of 2,500 due to challenges in securing contributions from additional countries.

As Haiti grapples with a deepening security and political crisis, the continued support of CARICOM and international partners remains crucial to restoring peace and stability.