Latest news with #JovenelMoïse
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First Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Haiti sends 150 soldiers to Mexico for training in bid to reclaim territory from gangs
Haiti's government announced Friday that it has sent 150 soldiers to Mexico for training in the latest effort to fight back gangs that have gained almost entire control of the troubled country's capital. read more Haiti has deployed 150 soldiers to Mexico for military training, as part of a broader plan to rebuild its armed forces and combat gangs that now dominate much of the capital, the Haitian government announced on Friday. The deployment is part of a bilateral agreement that will see 700 Haitian soldiers trained in Mexico as the country seeks to strengthen its national security apparatus. 'This departure marks a historic milestone in the reconstruction of the Haitian Armed Forces and is part of a policy of strengthening national security capabilities,' Haiti's government said. 'It illustrates the government's firm determination to restore … state authority throughout the country.' From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to the United Nations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Haitian soldiers will spend three months in Mexico. Upon their return, they will join Haiti's National Police in its fight against gangs, bolstered by Kenyan police officers leading a sparsely funded U.N.-backed mission. Earlier this month, about 30 Haitian soldiers were sent to the French Caribbean island of Martinique for a two-week training. Haiti's armed forces were disbanded in 1995 following a coup to oust former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The once-feared army had long been accused of horrific human rights abuses and were involved in several coups. In 2017, the army was reinstated by slain President Jovenel Moïse after the U.N. ended its peacekeeping operations. In recent years, the army has been recruiting young people to bolster its numbers. In 2023, there were roughly 2,000 soldiers, compared with some 7,000 when the army was disbanded. Newer figures were not available. With inputs from agencies
4 hours ago
- Politics
Haiti sends 150 soldiers to Mexico for training as gang violence surges
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Haiti's government announced Friday that it has sent 150 soldiers to Mexico for training in the latest effort to fight back gangs that have gained almost entire control of the troubled country's capital. Under the agreement between the two countries, a total of 700 soldiers are to be trained in Mexico as Haiti seeks to revive its military. 'This departure marks a historic milestone in the reconstruction of the Haitian Armed Forces and is part of a policy of strengthening national security capabilities,' Haiti's government said. 'It illustrates the government's firm determination to restore … state authority throughout the country.' From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to the United Nations. The Haitian soldiers will spend three months in Mexico. Upon their return, they will join Haiti's National Police in its fight against gangs, bolstered by Kenyan police officers leading a sparsely funded U.N.-backed mission. Earlier this month, about 30 Haitian soldiers were sent to the French Caribbean island of Martinique for a two-week training. Haiti's armed forces were disbanded in 1995 following a coup to oust former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The once-feared army had long been accused of horrific human rights abuses and were involved in several coups. In 2017, the army was reinstated by slain President Jovenel Moïse after the U.N. ended its peacekeeping operations. In recent years, the army has been recruiting young people to bolster its numbers. In 2023, there were roughly 2,000 soldiers, compared with some 7,000 when the army was disbanded. Newer figures were not available.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Haiti sends 150 soldiers to Mexico for training as gang violence surges
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's government announced Friday that it has sent 150 soldiers to Mexico for training in the latest effort to fight back gangs that have gained almost entire control of the troubled country's capital. Under the agreement between the two countries, a total of 700 soldiers are to be trained in Mexico as Haiti seeks to revive its military. 'This departure marks a historic milestone in the reconstruction of the Haitian Armed Forces and is part of a policy of strengthening national security capabilities,' Haiti's government said. 'It illustrates the government's firm determination to restore … state authority throughout the country.' From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to the United Nations. The Haitian soldiers will spend three months in Mexico. Upon their return, they will join Haiti's National Police in its fight against gangs, bolstered by Kenyan police officers leading a sparsely funded U.N.-backed mission. Earlier this month, about 30 Haitian soldiers were sent to the French Caribbean island of Martinique for a two-week training. Haiti's armed forces were disbanded in 1995 following a coup to oust former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The once-feared army had long been accused of horrific human rights abuses and were involved in several coups. In 2017, the army was reinstated by slain President Jovenel Moïse after the U.N. ended its peacekeeping operations. In recent years, the army has been recruiting young people to bolster its numbers. In 2023, there were roughly 2,000 soldiers, compared with some 7,000 when the army was disbanded. Newer figures were not available.
Hamilton Spectator
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Haiti sends 150 soldiers to Mexico for training as gang violence surges
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's government announced Friday that it has sent 150 soldiers to Mexico for training in the latest effort to fight back gangs that have gained almost entire control of the troubled country's capital. Under the agreement between the two countries, a total of 700 soldiers are to be trained in Mexico as Haiti seeks to revive its military. 'This departure marks a historic milestone in the reconstruction of the Haitian Armed Forces and is part of a policy of strengthening national security capabilities,' Haiti's government said. 'It illustrates the government's firm determination to restore … state authority throughout the country.' From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence . Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to the United Nations. The Haitian soldiers will spend three months in Mexico. Upon their return, they will join Haiti's National Police in its fight against gangs, bolstered by Kenyan police officers leading a sparsely funded U.N.-backed mission . Earlier this month, about 30 Haitian soldiers were sent to the French Caribbean island of Martinique for a two-week training. Haiti's armed forces were disbanded in 1995 following a coup to oust former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide . The once-feared army had long been accused of horrific human rights abuses and were involved in several coups. In 2017, the army was reinstated by slain President Jovenel Moïse after the U.N. ended its peacekeeping operations. In recent years, the army has been recruiting young people to bolster its numbers. In 2023, there were roughly 2,000 soldiers, compared with some 7,000 when the army was disbanded. Newer figures were not available. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Colombia's Petro visits Haiti for a 2nd time to help bolster security as gang violence surges
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Preto arrived Friday in Haiti for the second time this year in a show of support as gangs in the troubled Caribbean country continue to gain ground. Petro announced the opening of a Colombian embassy in Haiti and pledged to help Haiti strengthen its security. Petro met with Haiti's prime minister and its transitional presidential council, which is under pressure to hold general elections before February 2026. While officials met behind closed doors, a statement from Colombia's government noted they would review bilateral projects focused on security, commerce, education, agriculture and the fight against drug trafficking. Petro's administration has offered to train Haitian officers, and Haitian delegations have visited a state-owned arms manufacturing company in Colombia to learn about its defense capabilities. The two countries are strengthening their ties as judges in Haiti continue to interrogate 17 former Colombian soldiers accused in the July 2021 killing of President Jovenel Moïse. Petro previously visited Haiti in late January, where he was received in the southern coastal city of Jacmel with much fanfare. Prior to his visit, Haitian officials invested some $3.8 million to more than double the runway at the airport in Jacmel, renovate the town and restore electricity to a population living in the dark for at least three years. This time, Petro landed in Port-au-Prince, where 90% of the capital is under gang control. He was accompanied by officials including Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez. The officials arrived less than a week after Haitian authorities killed four suspected drug traffickers and confiscated more than 2,300 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of cocaine off the country's north coast. It was a remarkable seizure for Haiti's National Police, which remains understaffed and underfunded as it works with Kenyan police leading a U.N.-backed mission to help quell gang violence. While most of the violence is centered in Port-au-Prince, gangs have razed and seized control of a growing number of towns in Haiti's central region. At least 4,864 people have been killed from October to the end of June across Haiti, with hundreds of others kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to a recent U.N. report. Gang violence also has displaced 1.3 million people in recent years.
