Guyana supports U.S.-Panama resolution for a Haiti gang suppression force

Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 21:07 by Writer

Guyana is supporting a proposal by the United States (U.S.) and Panama to establish a gang suppression force (GSF) to tackle heavily armed gangs who are on a rampage for several months across that French-Creole speaking Caribbean nation of Haiti, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The state department said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali for backing the GSF. “The Secretary also commended Guyana’s support of a UN support office for Haiti and for backing the establishment of the new Gang Suppression Force,” the State Department said in a readout at Wednesday meeting between the two on the margins of the 80th United Nations High-level Week.

Dr Ali, on his Facebook page, mentioned his meeting with Mr Rubio but provided no details about the discussions concerning Haiti. “The meeting also saw an exchange of views on issues facing the hemisphere, including the situations in Haiti and Cuba,” he said.

The President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader on Wednesday told the UN General Assembly that his country, which shares the island of Hispaniola, strongly supports the establishment of a GSF under the United Nations Command because the UN Security Council-approved Multilateral Security Support (MSS) mission did not reach the scale, personnel strength and adequate financing. “This proposal would establish a more robust presence with greater coordination, oversight and accountability standards in both human rights and operational performance. We issue an urgent appeal to the members of the Security Council, especially the five permanent members, to adopt this resolution without delay,” Mr Abinader said.

The GSF, as envisaged in a proposal by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres would be capable of imposing order and restoring peace with a reinforced command structure, clear and measurable goals and the logistical and operational backing of an office under UN Command.

The Draft Resolution authorizes the transition of the MSS to the GSF with a ceiling of 5,500 personnel with a robust mandate, and the establishment of a UN support office in Haiti to provide support to the GSF. The funding of the GSF personnel will be from voluntary sources while that of the support office will be from UN member state assessments.

The draft also takes note of the recent Organization of American States (OAS) Roadmap for Stability and Peace in Haiti in support of Haitian-led efforts, and the possibility of the organisation providing a logistical support package for the GSF.

The 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) earlier this month welcomed the U.S.-Panama sponsored draft resolution before the UN Security Council. “This initiative comes at a critical moment in the continuing degeneration of the insecurity and humanitarian situation in Haiti with its increasing cortège of killings, kidnappings, gender-based violence, loss of territory and the displacement of huge numbers of persons at the hands of the armed gangs,” CARICOM said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State also reportedly reaffirmed support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and further underscored U.S. commitment to deepening collaboration with the Guyana Defense Force to strengthen counternarcotics capabilities and enhance bilateral cooperation to address shared security challenges. “They reaffirmed the strong partnership between both of our nations, highlighting ongoing cooperation to strengthen security, expand economic opportunity, and bolster regional stability, according to the statement.

Mr Rubio also congratulated President Ali on his reelection and emphasized the importance of continued joint security and economic collaboration.