PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Approximately 150 military police officers from Central America have commenced their deployment to Haiti, aimed at bolstering the government's efforts against the pervasive gang violence that has disrupted daily life for millions. The first wave of this deployment, consisting of about 75 troops predominantly from Guatemala, arrived at Toussaint Louverture International Airport amidst a welcoming by Haitian officials and U.S. Ambassador Dennis Hankins (source: VOA News).

The Kenyan commander of the U.N.-backed mission, Godfrey Otunge, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The gangs have only two choices: surrender, lay down their weapons, and face justice, or face us in the field." With the integration of Guatemalan and El Salvadoran forces, he asserted that the gangs would "have nowhere to hide" (source: AP News).

These security reinforcements come in response to a significant increase in coordinated gang assaults on critical infrastructures, including prisons, police stations, and the international airport, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. It is reported that gangs now control around 85% of the capital (source: AP News).

Recent escalations of violence include a shocking incident on Christmas Eve where gunmen targeted a crowd at the reopening of Haiti's largest public hospital, resulting in the deaths of two journalists and a police officer. Prior to this new deployment, the international effort was primarily led by around 400 security personnel from Kenya, with other support pledged from countries including Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, and Chad, though their deployment timelines remain uncertain (source: VOA News).

For continuous updates on the situation in Haiti and the regional implications, visit the full coverage on AP News and VOA News.