US Secretary of State Marco Rubio•©️New York Times
The United States announces that it has received international commitments to deploy up to 7,500 security personnel to the Gang Law Enforcement Force (GRF) in Haiti, a mission approved by the UN Security Council at the end of September. The announcement was made this Friday, December 19, 2025, in Washington by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while the force is to become operational by March 2026.
At a press conference in the State Department, Marco Rubio indicated that the commitments received exceeded the initial target of 5,500 agents. He also highlighted an increase in financial contributions from partner countries to support this international force to combat insecurity in Haiti.
Approved by the UN Security Council at the initiative of the United States and Panama, and at the request of Haiti, the GRF aims to strengthen and replace an international mission previously considered underfunded and understaffed. At an international meeting on 9 December, 18 countries pledged to provide staff, resources and technical support.
According to international media reports, Chad has offered to send 1,500 troops, while several African countries, including Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, the Gambia and Burundi, have also pledged contributions. Kenya, already on the ground, has approximately 700 police officers deployed in Haiti.
According to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (UNIHB), the gang law enforcement force is expected to be fully operational by 31 March 2026. Its mission is to conduct intelligence-based, targeted operations to neutralize armed gangs in the hope of responding more effectively to the security crisis in the country.
W.A.
