PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti โ The government of Haiti announced on Friday the deployment of 150 soldiers to Mexico for specialized training as part of a broader initiative to regain control over areas dominated by gangs in the nationโs capital. This step is part of a bilateral agreement under which a total of 700 Haitian soldiers will receive training in Mexico, aiming to rejuvenate Haitiโs military forces.
In a statement, Haitian officials described the deployment as a significant development in their efforts to rebuild the countryโs armed forces. This measure is seen as a crucial component of a strategy designed to enhance national security and restore governmental authority across the nation. The government remains committed to enforcing law and order amid the prevailing chaos.
The recent history of Haiti has been marred by intense gang violence that claimed the lives of over 4,800 individuals between October 2024 and June 2025, as reported by the United Nations. Countless others have suffered from injuries, kidnappings, and various forms of exploitation at the hands of these criminal groups.
Haitian soldiers will undergo a three-month training program in Mexico, after which they will return home to collaborate with the National Police. Their mission will be bolstered by Kenyan police officers as part of a United Nations-backed effort, albeit with limited financial resources.
Earlier in the month, about 30 soldiers from Haiti participated in a two-week training session on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, further reinforcing the nationโs defense capabilities.
The history of Haitiโs military is tumultuous; the armed forces were dissolved in 1995 after a coup that forced out President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. This army had been notorious for human rights violations and involvement in multiple coups. It wasnโt until 2017 that the military was reestablished by the late President Jovenel Moรฏse following the reduction of the United Nations peacekeeping presence.
Recent recruitment efforts have focused on increasing the number of active service members to enhance military capabilities. As of 2023, Haitiโs army had approximately 2,000 soldiers, a significant decrease from the 7,000 personnel prior to its disbandment. Current statistics regarding the size of the force remain unavailable.