Haiti Selects 665 New Military Recruits, Including 98 Women, as Armed Forces Expansion Continues

Haiti is moving forward with another phase of efforts to expand and strengthen its national military.

The Ministry of Defense of Haiti announced the completion of the selection process for a new class of recruits joining the Armed Forces of Haiti, known as the FAd’H. According to a ministry communiqué dated July 5, 665 candidates were selected, including 98 women, after completing a series of medical, physical, psychotechnical, and administrative evaluations.

The selected candidates are now expected to begin formal military training, marking the next step in their path toward joining the country’s armed forces.

The announcement comes as Haiti continues efforts to rebuild and expand its defense capacity during a period of severe insecurity. Armed groups have displaced communities, disrupted major roads and weakened state authority in several parts of the country, increasing pressure on national institutions to strengthen security operations.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the selection process was designed to identify candidates who demonstrated the physical ability, psychological readiness, and administrative qualifications required for military service.

Women make up 98 of the 665 selected recruits, an important presence in a class that reflects the military’s continued efforts to broaden participation within its ranks.

The government is also preparing for a much larger recruitment effort. Officials have signaled plans for another nationwide phase aimed at selecting 2,000 additional candidates, which would further increase the size and operational capacity of the FAd’H.

The latest announcement follows other recruitment and training efforts earlier in 2026. A class of 339 soldiers from the “François Capois” promotion was previously sworn in as Haiti continued building up its military personnel.

The expansion of the FAd’H comes at a critical moment for the country. Haiti continues to face widespread armed violence and a deep security crisis, while national authorities work alongside other security forces and international partners to restore stability.

For the 665 newly selected candidates, the next chapter will begin with military training. For Haiti, their selection represents another step in a broader effort to rebuild national institutions and strengthen the country’s ability to respond to long-term security challenges.