On Friday, September 19, 2025, a milestone was reached in the ongoing struggle for stability in Haiti: 143 Haitian soldiers—15 women and 128 men—completed an intensive, eight-week military training program conducted by the Mexican army. The training, which took place at a military camp in the state of Mexico, just north of the country’s capital, was the result of a bilateral agreement between Haiti and Mexico. For many, this moment marks a significant step in Haiti’s efforts to revive its armed forces amid a worsening security crisis at home.
According to the Associated Press, the soldiers’ training focused on personal defense, firearms proficiency, and—crucially—human rights. The curriculum was designed not only to build tactical skills but also to instill a sense of duty to serve the Haitian people and uphold democratic values. At the closing ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Juan Manuel Campos Rodríguez, director of the army’s training center, addressed the graduating class with words of encouragement: “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.”
This initiative comes at a time when Haiti faces what may be its gravest security threat in decades. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gangs have steadily tightened their grip on the capital, Port-au-Prince, and their influence has crept into rural areas as well. The United Nations and other international observers estimate that gangs now control around 90% of the capital—a staggering figure that underscores the scale of the challenge ahead.
Haiti’s government, recognizing the urgent need to rebuild its security infrastructure, announced in July that it would send soldiers abroad for training as part of a broader plan to strengthen its armed forces. The program in Mexico is the most visible result of that strategy so far. Hubert Labbe, Haiti’s ambassador to Mexico, highlighted the significance of the training: “The skills acquired by the graduating class substantially improve the capabilities of the Haitian armed forces, allowing them to better serve and protect the Haitian people.”
For the soldiers themselves, the experience was both transformative and sobering. Haitian soldier Accilien Jimmy expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “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.” The sentiment was echoed throughout the ceremony, with many participants recognizing the weight of the responsibility they now carry.
The context for this renewed focus on military training is complex and deeply rooted in Haiti’s recent history. The country’s armed forces were disbanded in 1995, following a coup that ousted then-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. For more than two decades, Haiti relied on international peacekeepers—primarily from the United Nations—to maintain order. That arrangement ended in 2017, when President Moïse reinstated the army after the U.N. concluded its peacekeeping mission. The hope was that a revitalized military could fill the security vacuum and help restore order. However, progress has been slow, and the rise of gang violence has outpaced efforts to rebuild state institutions.
International responses to Haiti’s security crisis have been varied and, at times, contentious. A Kenya-led multinational force is currently deployed in Haiti, tasked with supporting local police and curbing gang activity. Yet, according to reports from the Associated Press and other outlets, the presence of this force has not been enough to contain the violence. Calls for greater international involvement have grown louder in recent weeks.
Just days before the Haitian soldiers graduated in Mexico, the United States and Panama jointly urged the U.N. Security Council to authorize a new, 5,550-member force with expanded powers—including the authority to detain gang members. The proposal envisions transforming the existing Kenya-led contingent into a much larger, more robust operation. The hope is that a more substantial international presence could help tip the balance in favor of the Haitian state and its people.
Still, the challenges are immense. The gangs’ control of Port-au-Prince is not just a matter of brute force; it is also tied to deep-seated issues of poverty, political instability, and a lack of trust in government institutions. Many Haitians have grown wary of both local authorities and foreign interventions, having witnessed decades of failed efforts to bring lasting peace and security. The memory of the 1995 disbandment of the army and the subsequent reliance on U.N. peacekeepers remains fresh for many citizens, fueling both hope and skepticism about the latest attempts to rebuild the military.
The recent graduation of Haitian soldiers in Mexico has been met with cautious optimism by some observers. Supporters argue that a well-trained, professional army is a necessary component of any long-term solution to Haiti’s security woes. They point to the soldiers’ training in human rights as evidence that the new force could break with the abuses of the past and serve as a stabilizing influence. “The skills acquired by the graduating class substantially improve the capabilities of the Haitian armed forces,” said Ambassador Labbe, “allowing them to better serve and protect the Haitian people.”
Critics, however, warn that military solutions alone cannot address the root causes of Haiti’s crisis. They argue that without significant investments in economic development, education, and political reform, any gains made on the security front will be short-lived. Some also worry that the expansion of the military could lead to new abuses if oversight and accountability are not prioritized.
For the soldiers returning to Haiti, the path ahead is fraught with uncertainty. They will be tasked with confronting heavily armed gangs that have proven adept at evading both local and international security forces. They will also need to earn the trust of a population that has seen far too many promises of peace go unfulfilled. Yet, for many, the training in Mexico represents a rare glimmer of hope—a chance to chart a new course for their country.
As Haiti’s new soldiers prepare to deploy, the world is watching closely. The coming months will test not only their skills but also the resilience of the Haitian state and the resolve of the international community. Whether this latest effort to rebuild the armed forces will succeed where others have faltered remains to be seen. But for now, at least, a small but determined group of Haitians is returning home, ready to serve.