Key facts
- U.S. security officials are planning to deepen ties with Vectus Global, a private military company in Haiti run by Erik Prince.
- Colonel Justin Gorkowski told Congress that the Haitian Task Force is a "tremendous partner."
- A Task Force officer will be embedded in the joint operations center next week to formalize the partnership.
- Human Rights Watch estimates 1,243 people were killed in drone strikes linked to Vectus Global between March 2025 and January 2026, including 43 civilians.
- The U.S. State Department stated that coordination through the joint operations center is critical to help prevent civilian casualties.
U.S. security officials are planning to strengthen ties with Vectus Global, a private military company in Haiti founded by Erik Prince, an ally of President Donald Trump. Colonel Justin Gorkowski, a U.S. military adviser, informed Congress that the Haitian Task Force, with which Vectus Global operates, is a "tremendous partner." A Task Force officer is set to be embedded in the joint operations center next week to formalize this partnership.
This development comes amid concerns raised by human rights groups regarding civilian casualties from drone strikes attributed to Vectus Global. Human Rights Watch estimates that between March 2025 and January 2026, 1,243 people were killed in 141 drone operations, including 43 civilian adults and 17 children. The group noted a substantial increase in operations and casualties between October and January.
Colonel Gorkowski stated that while informal coordination exists at all command levels, the embedding of an officer will formalize the agreement. He acknowledged that there is currently no operational overlap but anticipates closer partnership as gang suppression efforts continue. The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. State Department indicated that such coordination is vital for preventing civilian deaths and is conducted under the direction of the Haitian government.