Blackwater founder to deploy nearly 200 personnel to Haiti as gang violence soars

Former U.S. Navy SEAL Erik Prince’s security firm, Vectus Global, plans to send about 200 contractors from multiple countries to Haiti under a one-year deal to combat gang violence and help reclaim territory from heavily armed gangs. The team will support Haiti’s National Police and a struggling U.N.-backed Kenyan‑led mission, and later advise on restoring revenue collection. Critics warn the deployment may violate U.S. law without government approval and could fragment authority in Haiti, NPR has reported. The move comes amid escalating violence from the powerful Viv Ansanm gang federation, which has caused mass prison breaks, airport closures, and widespread displacement of 1.3 million people.