One hundred forty-three members of Haiti’s military forces, including 15 female soldiers, finished their specialized training program conducted by Mexico’s army on Friday, September 19, as reported by the Associated Press.
The training program emerged from a mutual agreement between Mexico and Haiti, as criminal gangs continue to wreak havoc across Haiti and undermine its governmental structures.
The eight-week intensive training curriculum incorporated comprehensive self-defense training, weapons proficiency exercises, and education on human rights principles.
During the graduation event at a military facility in the State of Mexico, Lieutenant Colonel Juan Manuel Campos Rodríguez, who heads the army’s training center, highlighted the program’s significance: “Starting today, you return to your nation with military knowledge and physical and spiritual strength to loyally serve your people and your democratically elected authority,” he told the soldiers, as reported by the Associated Press.
In July, Haiti’s government had revealed plans to dispatch troops for training as part of its comprehensive strategy to enhance its security personnel. This initiative comes at a time when gang control reportedly extends across almost 90 percent of Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital.
Haiti’s diplomatic representative to Mexico, Hubert Labbe, commended the partnership and highlighted its practical impact. “The skills acquired by this graduating class substantially improve the capabilities of the Haitian armed forces, allowing them to better serve and protect the Haitian people,” he said.
Gang violence has escalated following President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in 2021. Criminal organizations have expanded their influence beyond urban areas into rural regions, subjecting residents to kidnappings, financial exploitation, and violent confrontations.
To address this crisis, a Kenyan-led international force has been positioned in Haiti, though its effectiveness remains limited. Recently, American and Panamanian officials called on the UN Security Council to expand the mission to 5,550 personnel with enhanced authority to apprehend gang members, effectively strengthening its operational capacity.
For Haiti’s newly trained soldiers, this program represents a vital component in military reconstruction. Graduate Accilien Jimmy expressed his appreciation: “This type of support is essential for the Haitian armed forces to be able to increase their operational capacity and provide security and peace to our nation,” he said.
These soldiers return as Haitian citizens increasingly demand effective measures against expanding gang influence.
Haiti’s military was disbanded in 1995 following a coup that removed then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. President Moïse reestablished the forces in 2017, coinciding with the conclusion of the UN’s peacekeeping mission.
Since the military’s reinstatement, its development has depended on international collaborations, including the partnership with Mexico. Haitian officials maintain that their objective is to establish a military force capable of bringing stability and supporting police efforts against gang activities.
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Source: Associated Press
