PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s authorities introduced Friday that it has despatched 150 troopers to Mexico for coaching within the storm effort to battle again gangs that have gained almost entire control of the troubled nation’s capital.
Underneath the settlement between the 2 nations, a complete of 700 troopers are to be educated in Mexico as Haiti seeks to revive its army.
“This departure marks a historic milestone within the reconstruction of the Haitian Armed Forces and is a part of a coverage of strengthening nationwide safety capabilities,” Haiti’s authorities stated. “It illustrates the federal government’s agency dedication to revive … state authority all through the nation.”
From October 2024 to June 2025, greater than 4,800 individuals throughout Haiti have been killed by gang violence. A whole lot extra have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, in line with the United Nations.
The Haitian troopers will spend three months in Mexico. Upon their return, they are going to be part of Haiti’s Nationwide Police in its battle towards gangs, bolstered by Kenyan cops main a sparsely funded U.N.-backed mission.
Earlier this month, about 30 Haitian troopers have been despatched to the French Caribbean island of Martinique for a two-week coaching.
Haiti’s armed forces have been disbanded in 1995 following a coup to oust former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The once-feared military had lengthy been accused of horrific human rights abuses and have been concerned in a number of coups.
In 2017, the military was reinstated by slain President Jovenel Moïse after the U.N. ended its peacekeeping operations.
Lately, the military has been recruiting young people to bolster its numbers. In 2023, there have been roughly 2,000 troopers, in contrast with some 7,000 when the military was disbanded. Newer figures weren’t accessible.