In a significant step toward strengthening Haiti’s security forces, 143 Haitian soldiers—128 men and 15 women—completed an intensive eight-week basic training program at Mexico’s Regional Center for Individual Combat Training (CRCTI) in San Miguel de Los Jagüeyes, north of Mexico City. The graduation ceremony, held Friday, underscored the growing military cooperation between Haiti and Mexico as the Caribbean nation continues to grapple with rampant gang violence and instability.
During the ceremony, soldiers dressed in uniform proudly received certificates from Mexican instructors, marking the completion of a curriculum focused on essential infantry skills—self-defense, firearms handling, marksmanship, and urban combat tactics—complemented by human rights and ethical conduct training.
“From today onward, we will return to our country with military knowledge, physical and spiritual strength. We will serve our people and the elected democratic authorities with loyalty,” one Haitian officer declared, reflecting the renewed sense of duty among the graduates.
This training marks the first phase of a 2018 bilateral defense agreement between Haiti’s Ministry of National Defense and Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena). The program aims to train up to 700 Haitian recruits in multiple cycles as part of broader efforts to rebuild the Forces Armées d’Haïti (FAd’H), reestablished in 2017 after its dissolution in 1995.
Haitian Defense Minister Jean Wesley Cangé hailed the initiative, stating: “This collaboration represents a cornerstone in our efforts to professionalize and empower our armed forces against the threats facing our nation.” Fully funded by Mexico, the program exemplifies regional solidarity, preparing the soldiers to support the Haitian National Police in future anti-gang operations.
Beyond Mexico, Haiti is also expanding its defense training partnerships. Colombia has pledged expertise in counter-narcotics and gang suppression, Brazil will train more than 400 police officers, and Argentina is offering scholarships for advanced military studies—signaling a growing regional commitment to Haiti’s stabilization.
