Private security contractor Erik Prince is actively involved in combatting gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, through a clandestine initiative referred to as the “Task Force.” This effort comes amid a backdrop of escalating gang activity and a precarious security landscape in the capital.
As the city grapples with years of political instability and violent gang control, residents risk their safety daily to navigate through dangerous territories. Much of the area reflects signs of neglect and decay as nature reclaims urban spaces once bustling with life.
Prince, known for his previous work with the controversial Blackwater security firm during the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, claims to have developed strategic methods to address Haiti’s severe gang problem. His current operations, which he says involve aerial drone attacks, have reportedly conducted over 2,000 strikes since the Task Force’s inception last March. Video footage from a recent strike depicts a drone detonating against a rooftop water tank, engulfing a building in flames, allegedly targeting a gang facility.
In an interview last month, Prince emphasized the importance of eliminating a significant number of gang members, stating, “Insurgencies are not defeated by taking out just leadership. Wars are won by taking significant numbers of enemy manpower off the battlefield.” He further described gangs as “evil criminals” deserving harsh consequences, which some critics argue contradicts international legal standards and due process.
Prince’s firm, Vectus Global, was contracted by Haiti’s interim government in 2022 and collaborates with the Haitian National Police and other local forces. His operations aim to reverse the dominance of gangs that have left a significant portion of the population displaced and fearful.
Although Prince touts improvements in police response times and air support, the situation remains critical. Reports indicate that significant portions of essential travel routes still face extortion at gang checkpoints, and many anticipated milestones, such as restoring key roads, have yet to be achieved.
The international community has noted a slight alleviation of gang control in some areas of Port-au-Prince, but the overall death toll from violence remains alarmingly high, with over 5,700 casualties reported for 2026 alone, predominantly linked to security operations. Many gang strategies are shifting, leading to increased recruitment of minors and expansion into rural areas.
Despite the ongoing violence and questionable results, Prince’s approach has garnered interest from some in the Haitian government as a possible solution to the country’s ongoing turmoil. However, local human rights advocates express skepticism, stressing the need for more accountability and effective change in the security landscape.
As Prince’s Task Force continues its operations, managing to halt some advances by gangs, the Haitian government’s long-term strategy for restoring order and protecting citizens remains unclear.
