History offers a powerful lesson for any nation on the brink of surrendering key sovereign powers to outsiders. The East India Company (EIC), which once exercised dominion over a large part of the Indian subcontinent and Hong Kong, ultimately failed because of its lack of accountability, rampant corruption, mismanagement, and the prioritization of profit over the well-being of the people. The EIC’s legacy is clear: when foreign companies exercise sovereign-like authority, abuse and exploitation follow, undermining national interests and eroding public trust. Sovereignty cannot be outsourced without harmful consequences.
Haiti is at a crossroads. Thus far in 2025, there have been an estimated 3,137 murders, 346 reported kidnappings, and 628 victims of sexual violence. What began as a security issue continues to deteriorate into an urgent and expansive humanitarian crisis. As the country’s leadership moves to deal with this crisis, the involvement of private companies—specifically Private Military Contractors (PMCs)—is an unfortunate but necessary tool to address the immediate and increasing devastation from indiscriminate gang violence. The real question is not whether PMCs should be employed, but how should they be employed, and what oversight and accountability measures should govern them.
Haiti has two immediate options. One is authoritarian. The other is democratic. The authoritarian approach concentrates long-term, sweeping powers into the hands of foreign corporations, like the EIC, that will operate with little oversight or accountability. The democratic approach is to use PMCs as a resource that works with, for, and under the direction and control of Haitian leaders and is subject to robust national civilian oversight. The goal is not long term corporate profit, but to build, train, equip, and turn over to Haitian authorities, as rapidly as possible, a resilient, Haitian-led security force. This second option is far superior.
The democratic approach gives Haiti the strength it needs to confront the gangs, safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and independence, promote long-term stability, and ensure that Haitians—not profit-driven, foreign corporate executives—will determine their own future. This path empowers Haiti today while laying the groundwork for true self-determination and lasting security.
Supporters of the authoritarian approach argue that Haiti is incapable of addressing its own problems, and that it lacks leaders with the character and moral courage to meet the moment. I disagree. The international community has a long history of underestimating Haiti’s capabilities and resilience, misappropriating funding and support to power brokers instead of true public servants and patriots. True progress in Haiti will come from people who know Haiti and understand its culture. A democratic approach will foster solutions rooted in self-determination and honest-dealing, with rigorous anti-corruption and transparency mechanisms that promote good governance.
The Government of Haiti’s greatest challenge is to rebuild the faith of its citizens in their freedom to work, attend school, and live their lives without fear of being kidnapped, extorted, raped or murdered. Foreign actors cannot do this work. It must be done, and be seen being done, by Haitians. Haiti’s people are hungry for leaders who are willing to address the gangs and the endemic corruption. Without a strong national security strategy led by Haitians themselves, external solutions will always be short-lived and viewed as unwelcomed foreign interventions.
No country can defeat a well-armed, foreign-funded criminal cartel network with fewer than 13,000 security personnel. This is what Haiti faces. New York City, with a similar size population, has 35,000 police officers. Haiti, with vastly more territory and complexity - 300 times the land area of New York City - has one-third the force. The scale of Haiti’s challenge is immense, and its response must match it in scope and resolve. A significant expansion in the size of Haiti’s police and military forces is needed. What’s required is a sustained national effort to train, equip, and unify these forces to dismantle the criminal gangs that threaten the nation, reclaim territory, and restore public trust.
Building this level of capability is possible, but only with steadfast commitment from the Haitian government. It must accept responsibility for national security, invest in its people, fight corruption at every level, and establish vigorous civilian oversight and accountability mechanisms. Private military companies can provide important support and expertise where it is needed, but they should empower, not replace, Haitian forces, respect Haitian institutions, and be subject to Haitian oversight and control. The most effective force will be rooted in local knowledge, accountable to the public, and insulated from political manipulation.
Haiti’s security must be Haitian led, Haitian-funded, and accountable to its people. It is in America’s national security interest - and consistent with “America First” principles - to ensure that Haiti makes the right choice between authoritarianism and democracy. The democratic solution will embrace transparency and oversight by both Haitian and US authorities. Supporting a Haitian-led solution is the quickest and most cost-effective way to prevent government collapse, end the tyrannical rule of gangs, and enable humanitarian organizations to serve the 1.3 million displaced and over 5 million starving people. It strengthens American regional interests, promotes security and stability throughout the Caribbean, and avoids the pitfalls of costly, open-ended interventions or aid dependency.
Sovereignty, accountability, and faith in a nation’s own people are the only path to real progress. In 1994, 2004, and again in 2010, some combination of roughly 20,000 international forces occupied Haiti with promised solutions, yet here they are again. Haitians do not want another large-scale foreign intervention; they deserve and must fight for a sovereign future.
Repeated foreign occupation is not the answer. Haiti can address its own problems. It can end the legacy of dependency and corruption and regain its sovereignty. The choices are stark: outsource its future or reclaim it with national resolve. The right answer honors the Haitian people and America’s best values.
Austin Holmes, a Florida native and Haitian resident, has experience directing high-stakes humanitarian efforts, crisis management operations and disaster response efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean.
