The UN Security Council approved a major overhaul of the international mission in Haiti, more than doubling its size and granting new detention powers to a rebranded “Gang Suppression Force.” The move—advanced by two council members and adopted without opposition—seeks to reverse the mission’s early shortfalls and confront the spiraling grip of armed gangs on the capital and beyond.

What The Resolution Changes

Under the new mandate, the contingent scales up to roughly 5,550 uniformed personnel with 50 civilian staff funded by voluntary contributions, and it can conduct “intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations” and detain suspected gang members—authorities the previous setup lacked.

Why The Mission Is Being Expanded

The 15-month effort had been underfunded and understaffed—fielding fewer than 1,000 personnel against fast-expanding gangs—prompting warnings that resources and scope must increase or the enterprise would falter. Recent briefings also flagged that gangs now control about 90% of the capital, underscoring the need for a stronger force posture.

The Situation On The Ground

Humanitarian agencies report record displacement exceeding 1.3 million people as violence spreads into new areas, while analysts note the mission’s priority to protect critical sites like airports, ports, schools, and hospitals alongside the Haitian police. The new force is tasked to help combat arms trafficking and secure essential infrastructure as part of restoring basic safety.

Regional And Political Signals

Ahead of the vote, senior officials cautioned that continued funding hinged on a revamped, better-resourced mission; key partners stressed logistics gaps, unreliable equipment, and the need to avoid repeating earlier mistakes. There were no votes against in the Council, with three abstentions, reflecting broad agreement that a larger, clearer mandate was necessary to counter escalating gang violence.