Washington Post Investigation: US Spent ~$970M on Failed Haiti Security Mission — 'It's Trying Again' with GSF

The Washington Post published a major investigative piece on May 15, 2026 titled 'U.S. sank millions in failed mission to stem crisis in Haiti. It's trying again.' — a critical retrospective examining the legacy of US financial and logistical investment in the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission (MSS) and the transition to the UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force (GSF). The investigation found that the United States had committed approximately $970 million toward Haiti security efforts since the 2024 crisis peak, including funding for the MSS, direct State Department support packages, USAID emergency programming, and initial GSF capitalization. Despite this investment, gang control of Port-au-Prince expanded from approximately 80% to 90% during the 22-month MSS mission period. The Washington Post piece was published the same week as the Cité Soleil hospital evacuations and the PM's explicit declaration that August 30 elections were impossible — a confluence that underscored the gap between financial commitments and on-the-ground results. The investigation noted that the GSF's authorized 5,550-person force had only approximately 545 personnel deployed as of mid-May 2026, with full strength not expected until fall or end of 2026. The piece cited the April 23, 2026 UN Security Council briefing at which national pledges exceeded the 5,500-person ceiling but only $59 million of more than $200 million pledged had been disbursed. The Washington Post investigation came as the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan remained funded at only ~20% of its $880M target, and as the USAID cuts under the Trump administration were deepening the overall funding gap for Haiti programming.