The Gang Suppression Force (GSF) seized weapons and ammunition during an operation on Wednesday in areas north of the Port-au-Prince International Airport, part of a broader initiative to reclaim territory held by armed gangs in Haiti.
The operation focused on locations identified as hideouts, staging points, and supply bases for criminal groups. The GSF stated that enhancing security around the airport and surrounding communities is vital for restoring freedom of movement and facilitating the return of individuals displaced by violence.
Despite facing attacks against its personnel, the GSF reiterated its commitment to operating “zone by zone and neighborhood by neighborhood.” This assurance follows a recent warning to Haitian gangs that acts of violence, including the ambush and disappearance of four Salvadoran soldiers, would not deter its objectives.
Currently, the GSF comprises 2,181 personnel in Haiti, with plans to expand to 5,500 military and police members within approximately three months, according to the mandate established by the UN Security Council. Foreign Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó of the Dominican Republic announced that the country has contributed US$20 million to support the GSF’s operations, despite not being part of the multinational force.
The GSF emphasized that securing the airport and other strategic areas remains a top priority as it aims to restore security and access to communities impacted by gang violence.
