Haitian Soldiers Complete Military Training in Mexico Amid Escalating Violence

Strategic Insights -

A group of 143 Haitian soldiers on Friday completed a military training program in Mexico, marking the latest effort to strengthen Haiti's armed forces amidst an ongoing crisis. The training, which lasted eight weeks, included basic military training, personal defense, and shooting, as well as instruction on human rights. The Haitian government had announced plans to revive its armed forces in July, citing the need to improve security capabilities as gangs have taken control of most of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Key Takeaways:

  • 143 Haitian soldiers completed a military training program in Mexico, consisting of 15 women and 128 men.
  • The training program lasted eight weeks and included basic military training, personal defense, and shooting, as well as instruction on human rights.
  • The Haitian government announced plans to revive its armed forces in July, citing the need to improve security capabilities.
  • Gangs have taken control of approximately 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
  • The Kenya-led multinational force currently deployed in Haiti has not contained the violence.
  • A proposal to increase international support was made by the U.S. and Panama, which includes authorizing a 5,550-member force with the power to detain gang members.
  • Haitian soldiers who completed the training program expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the need for increased operational capacity to provide security and peace to their nation.
  • Haiti's armed forces were disbanded in 1995 and reinstated in 2017 by President Moïse after the U.N. ended its peacekeeping operations.

Statistics:

  • 143 Haitian soldiers completed the military training program in Mexico.
  • The training program lasted 8 weeks.
  • Gangs control approximately 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
  • The proposed 5,550-member force would be led by the U.N. and have the power to detain gang members.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press, "Haitian Soldiers Complete Military Training in Mexico Amid Escalating Violence", September 25, 2025.
  • Haitian government announcement, July 2025, "Reviving the Haitian Armed Forces to Improve Security Capabilities".
  • Kenya-led multinational force, currently deployed in Haiti.