MINUSTAH and the Security Environment in Haiti: Brazil and South American Cooperation in the Field

This article focuses on the main challenges faced by MINUSTAH in implementing its mandate and how its military component, mainly composed of South American contingents, coped with them and achieved a high level of regional cooperation and success in improving security in Haiti. From a Brazilian standpoint, it addresses how the integrated action of the nation's military and civilian actors and the cultural similarities with Haiti played a crucial role in interactions with the local population and with Haitian and international authorities. This study benefits from a combination of an academic approach and a perspective from the field, acquired over the year during which the author served as assistant to the MINUSTAH Force Commander.