Trump Ally Erik Prince’s Security Firm Signs 10-Year Deal to Combat Gangs, Restore Order in Haiti

Mounting Crisis in Haiti

Haiti continues to be engulfed in turmoil as armed gangs tighten their grip on the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding regions. The unchecked violence has paralyzed daily life, restricted vital transportation routes, and left millions struggling with severe hunger and insecurity. With thousands killed this year alone, the country faces what many observers describe as its gravest crisis in decades.

Erik Prince Steps Into the Spotlight

Amid this chaos, Erik Prince, a well-known supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump and a former Navy SEAL, has re-emerged on the international stage. Prince, the founder of the controversial security firm Blackwater, announced that his latest company, Vectus Global, has reached a 10-year agreement with the Haitian government. This deal authorizes his private security forces to engage Haiti’s gangs directly and restore order in parts of the country that remain beyond the reach of state institutions.

Scope of the Security Agreement

According to Prince, Vectus Global’s operations will not be limited to policing neighborhoods. Instead, the company will take on a broader mandate: securing Haiti’s highways, reclaiming gang-occupied territories, and helping to revive the nation’s battered tax collection system. He has promised results within a year, insisting his team can stabilize key regions far quicker than international efforts led by the United Nations.

Limited Progress by UN-Backed Force

A multinational police mission led by Kenya, backed by the United Nations, has already been deployed to Haiti. However, the results so far have been underwhelming. While the force has bolstered local police in limited areas, it has struggled to counter the sheer strength of heavily armed gangs that often outgun state security. Many Haitians remain disillusioned, questioning whether foreign-led interventions can bring meaningful change. Prince claims his approach, using a private model with tactical expertise, will succeed where others have failed.

Military-Style Operations Planned

 

Insiders familiar with Vectus Global’s strategy revealed to Reuters that the firm is preparing an aggressive campaign. Plans reportedly include the deployment of helicopters, fast boats, and trained snipers to dismantle gang strongholds. Such methods highlight the military-style nature of the operation, sparking debate over whether Haiti is outsourcing its sovereignty to a foreign security enterprise. Prince insists that only decisive action can break the cycle of violence strangling the Caribbean nation.

Restoring State Functions

Beyond law enforcement, Vectus Global will also be involved in rebuilding core government functions, beginning with tax collection. Years of instability have crippled Haiti’s revenue systems, leaving the state unable to provide even basic services. Prince argues that restoring taxation will be essential to rebuilding governance and supporting long-term stability. Critics, however, fear that allowing a private firm to manage fiscal systems could entrench external influence over the country’s future.

U.S. Government Distances Itself

Despite Prince’s close ties to the Trump camp, the United States government has denied any role in the arrangement. A U.S. official confirmed that Washington neither facilitated nor financed the Haitian contract with Vectus Global. The statement was aimed at quelling speculation that the deal represented a U.S.-endorsed intervention, though questions remain about how such a major contract was negotiated under fragile conditions.

Human Toll of Haiti’s Conflict

The human consequences of Haiti’s unrest are staggering. The United Nations reports that more than 3,000 people have been killed in 2024 alone, with violence forcing over 1.3 million Haitians from their homes. This marks the largest displacement crisis in the country’s history, leaving families scattered across makeshift camps with little access to food or medical care. Humanitarian agencies warn that hunger and disease will only worsen unless stability is restored.

Haiti at a Crossroads

The announcement of Vectus Global’s deal highlights the desperate measures Haiti is pursuing in its struggle to survive. While some see Prince’s private intervention as a potential turning point, others caution that militarized approaches could deepen divisions and fuel further instability. What remains clear is that Haiti’s crisis cannot be ignored, and the next few months may determine whether the country can reclaim its path toward peace and governance.

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