By Gerrino J. Saunders
Bahama Journal News Editor

The third group of Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) marines was deployed
to Haiti this week on a mission that will last six months as they join the
multinational peace keeping force seeking to wrestle the country back from street
gangs that have violently taken over large areas including much of the capital Port-
au-Prince.
The Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe has revealed that there are
RBDF officers who have asked to serve on the frontlines with Haitian and Kenyan
Police in the fight against Haitian gangs. At the time he said it is highly unlikely as
the government is not prepared to make such a decision.
This week during the deployment he again confirmed the desire of some RBDF
officers to join the frontline, but he gave several reasons why they will not be
allowed on the front lines at this time.
He said, “The UN Security Council has not approved at this moment for any
Bahamian deployed troops to go on patrols with the Haitian National Police. And
that is not a risk that we have agreed for them to take at this moment and so they
will be carrying out duties at the air and seaports.”
Continuing he said, “They are well trained and they keep pushing us to do more,
but at this moment that is the restriction that is in place, and I have made it clear to
them that we expect them to obey those deployment orders, but they all want to go
further because that their nature and that is how they have been trained, but for
now they are restricted to those duties.
Prime Minister Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, the Minister
of National Security Wayne Munroe and RBDF Commodore Floyd Moxey along
with family members were all present to see the officers depart for their mission.
Prime Minister Davis said, “I think everybody understands the concept of
operations from our end. It’s basically top provide leadership and administrative
skills to the mission. And I want to wish you all of the best.”

Initially, The Bahamas committed to sending up to 150 RBDF marines to Haiti in
six months rotations. The first team of officers was deployed in October of 2024.
The most recent team returned home in October 2025.
The Bahamian marines were never expected to fight on the front lines but instead
serve in a support role conducting maritime patrols in the surrounding waters of
Haiti to prevent the smuggling of guns, drugs and humans, in addition to securing
the port facilities.
Gangs took advantage of the power vacuum that formed after Haiti’s president
Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021. Since then, Haiti has been without an
elected leader and has not held elections since 2016.
Last month the Government of The Bahamas said it was waiting until a United
Nations resolution to determine if the country will send more marines to assist
efforts to control street gangs and restore law and order in that country that has
seen over 3,000 people killed many of them tortured, sexually assaulted and
savaged, and approximately 13 million people displaced this year alone.
In September the UN Security Council approved a resolution by the Trump
administration for a gang suppression force that will replace the current Kenyan-
led multinational security support mission for Haiti, working alongside Haitian
authorities to combat escalating gang violence.
Authorized by the UN Security Council in September this year, the GSF replaces
the previous, underfunded Kenyan led operation.
 
The GSF’s 12-month mandate includes neutralizing gangs, securing infrastructure,
and supporting humanitarian access, with a larger force of 5,550 personnel to
address the crisis while operating in strict compliance with international law and
human rights, particularly for vulnerable populations. 

Commodore Floyd Moxey said, the RBDF “appreciate” the effort by the officers
and their families.