| Armed Forces of Haiti | |
|---|---|
| |
 Logo of the Armed Forces | |
| Founded | 18 May 1803; 221 years ago (1803-05-18)[1] (asIndigenous Army) |
| Current form | 17 November 2017 |
| Service branches |
|
| Headquarters | Grand Quartier Général Port-au-Prince,Haiti |
| Website | md |
| Leadership | |
| Nominal head | Transitional Presidential Council |
| Minister of Defense | Jean Michel Moïse |
| Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces | Lt.Gen.Derby Guerrier (acting) |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18–25 |
| Available for military service | 5,534,135, age 15–49 |
| Active personnel | 1200 – 1500 (2025) |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | HTG 6.976 billion (2024)[2] (US$53.5 million) |
| Percent of GDP | 0.2 |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers | |
| Related articles | |
| History | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Haiti |
TheArmed Forces of Haiti (French:Forces Armées d'Haïti,Haitian Creole:Fòs Lame d'Ayiti) are the military forces of theRepublic of Haiti, is composed of the Haitian Army, the Haitian Navy, and the Haitian Aviation Corps. The Force has about 2000 active personnel as of 2023,[8] with the army and aviation corps being active, and navy personnel still in the works.
The Haitian military originated during theHaitian Revolution as theIndigenous Army (Armée Indigène) that fought for independence, which was formally declared on 1 January 1804.[1] Haiti became a militarized country over the next several decades to protect its independence from a possible return of French troops, and as a result the military dominated the government and administration,[9] with the emergence of a military elite that held the political and economic power in the country.[10] The military was reorganized in the 1880s, being divided between a small active army that underwent the reform, and a much larger reserve army consisting of the old forces. There was also a small navy.[11] Between 1804 and 1915, all except one of Haiti's 26 heads of state were military officers.[12]
The Indigenous Army was disbanded during theUnited States occupation of Haiti in 1915 and replaced by the American-trained and -ledGendarmerie (Gendarmerie d'Haïti). In 1934, it was renamed theGarde d'Haiti and returned to Haitian command, before being renamed the Army of Haiti in 1947.[13] Finally, it was changed to the Armed Forces of Haiti in 1958 during the rule ofFrançois Duvalier.[14] After years of military interference in politics, including dozens of militarycoups andattempted coups, Haiti disbanded its military in 1995.[15] The Haitian National Police was established that same year to take over security.[16]
On 17 November 2017, the armed forces were restored by PresidentJovenel Moise. The Army was reestablished in 2018. The President suspended the previous executive orders by then PresidentJean-Bertrand Aristide who suspended and disbanded the armed forces on 6 December 1995.
As of 2025, the number of active members is estimated in the range of 1200 to 1500.
The origins of Haiti's military lie in theHaitian Revolution. A decade of warfare produced a military cadre from which Haiti's early leaders emerged. Defeat of theFrench demonstrated Haiti's considerable strategic stamina and tactical capabilities, but Haiti's victory did not translate into a successful national government or a strong economy. Lacking a strong constitution, Haiti was usually ruled by force. The armed forces, who had been united against the French, fragmented into warring regional factions. The military very soon took control of almost every aspect of Haitian life. Officers assumed responsibility for the administration of justice and for municipal management. According to a Haitian diplomat, the country was in its earlier days "an immense military camp." Without viable civilian institutions, Haiti was vulnerable to military personalities, who permanently shaped the nation's authoritarian, personalist, and coercive style of governance.
Haiti's defense fell victim to political vagaries. A readiness for battle and the initiation of defense-related engineering projects in the early 19th century turned out to be costly preparation for conflict against phantom armies. The engineering projects included construction of the citadel ofLa Ferrière in northern Haiti. Soon afterward, Haiti turned its attention toward the rest of the island ofHispaniola (La Isla Española), which Haiticontrolled between 1822 and 1844. Controlling the whole island, however, drained the national treasury and induced torpor in the battle-hardened veterans of the wars of independence.
During the mid-19th century, prolonged instability weakened the military. By the end of the 19th century, Haiti's military had become little more than an undisciplined, ill-fed, and poorly paid militia that shifted its allegiances as battles were won or lost and as new leaders came to power. Between 1806 and 1879, an estimated 69 revolts against existing governments took place; another twenty uprisings, or attempted insurrections, broke out between 1908 and 1915.
During the second half of the 19th century, the army either failed to protect the central government or directly caused the government's collapse. Rural insurgent movements led bypiquets andcacos limited the central government's authority in outlying areas. These groups carried on war into the 20th century; they were finally put down by theUnited States Marine Corps in 1919.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Haiti's political instability provoked interference of the great powers (France,Germany, and theUnited States). The increasing American interest in Haiti prompted theUnited States Navy to deploy to the country's ports fifteen times between 1876 and 1913 in order to protect American lives and property, and the United States Marines to occupy the whole country from 1915 to 1934.
The Haitian Navy was created in 1860 with the commissioning of a single gunboat. Two additional gunboats entered service in 1875 followed by a corvette ten years later. By 1900 three British and French-built gunboats had been launched. In 1902 the Haitian gunboatCrête-à-Pierrot had a brief engagement with a German warship. The Admiral of the Haitian fleet,Hammerton Killick, scuttled his ship rather than surrender.
The United States Marines disbanded Haiti's army, which consisted of an estimated 9,000 men, including 308 generals. In February 1916, the Haitian Constabulary (Gendarmerie d'Haïti) was formed. United States Marines andUnited States Navy officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) commanded the group. The Gendarmerie attempted to secure public safety, initially by subduing thecacos; to promote development, particularly road construction; and to modernize the military through the introduction of a training structure, a health service, and other improvements.
The United States occupation of Haiti brought order and resulted in some economic and social development. At the same time, the United States overhauled Haiti's disintegrated military infrastructure. The Gendarmerie became the Garde d'Haïti in 1928; the Garde formed the core of Haiti's armed forces after the United States administration ended. The United States sought to establish a modern, apolitical military force in Haiti. On the surface, it succeeded; the organization, the training, and the equipment of the Garde all represented improvements over the military conditions existing before the occupation.
After the United States occupation ended, the Haitian military was given the responsibility to ensure domestic law and order. This concern with internal, rather than with external security, endured throughout the 20th century.
The Haitian Coast Guard was created in the late 1930s. The Haitian Air Force was created in 1943.
Haiti became a party to a number of international agreements, including theInter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (the Rio Treaty), theCharter of the Organization of American States, and the earlierAct of Chapultepec (1945). The nation's security concerns regarding neighboring theDominican Republic andCuba have been viewed sinceWorld War II within the broader framework of the United States strategic interests in the Caribbean. The fact that the FAd'H deployed relatively few of its units along the Dominican border, despite a history of conflicts with its neighbor is reflective of Haiti's limited national security concerns, within this scheme.
After the establishment of the Duvalier regime in 1957, various external threats have had little impact on Haiti's security. The Duvaliers' tight control eliminated all Marxist influences in the country, thus minimizing the effects of theCuban Revolution. It was not until 1986 that a communist party, theUnified Party of Haitian Communists (Parti Unifié Communiste Haïtien, PUCH), openly operated in the country. Cuba helped some Haitian refugees travel to Florida in the 1980s, but its overall interest in Haitian affairs has been unclear. The severity of Haiti's political and economic crises, along with the high profile of the United States in the region, has limited involvement by other countries in Haitian affairs.
Threats to Haiti's internal security, however, have been numerous during the past four decades. Between 1968 and 1970, the government repulsed three invasions supported by exiled Haitians. In 1970 the Coast Guardmutinied. The Coast Guard's five ships, low on fuel and ammunition, went into exile at the United States military base at Guantánamo, Cuba. In the early 1980s, Haitian military forces and members of theVolontaires de la Sécurité Nationale (VSN) defeated a small exile force on theIle de la Tortue (Tortuga Island). An airplane dropped a bomb on the National Palace in 1982, and a car bomb exploded nearby in 1983. Exile groups, however, never posed a significant military challenge to the army and the VSN. The real challenge to these forces came in the popular domestic disturbances that developed after 1984.
After the collapse of the Duvalier regime in 1986, theFAd'H developed an agenda to exert national political leadership, to restore public order, and to gain control over theVSN and other paramilitary groups, but carrying out this program proved difficult, given Haiti's political, economic, and foreign policy situations.
The main mission of Haiti's armed forces in the late 1980s continued to be internal security. After 1986, however, this mission regularly conflicted with the national leadership role of theFAd'H. Generational and political differences among officers and a scarcity of resources for the military led to chronic instability that culminated in military coups. These coups caused the government to change hands four times in 1988. A fifth coup in early 1989, however, failed to topple the government. The two most important problems that theFAd'H had to face were, first, a divided senior military command and, second, suspicious junior officers and NCO personnel. These problems became apparent in 1988 when Avril ousted Namphy and subsequently dismissed a number of senior officers. The degree to which NCOs may have been manipulated in this process and the extent to which lower army echelons had begun to shape their own political attitudes caused some observers to doubt the military's future as an institution.
The challenges facing the FAd'H in the late 1980s were more political than military. The largest and most immediate questions revolved around the institution's ability to govern Haiti during a period of political transition and modernization. It remained unclear, in mid-1989, how and when the military planned to transfer power to a legitimate civilian government. Another important problem concerned the personal political ambitions of some army commanders. It was also unclear how the FAd'H would respond to these challenges because the institution had not demonstrated viable national political capabilities. The FAd'H was ill-prepared for this broad new role in national life because François Duvalier had severely limited its role in government affairs.
Other security-related problems included narcotics trafficking. United States officials have expressed concern over Haiti's role as a major transshipment area for narcotics, mainly Colombian cocaine bound for the United States. This role apparently expanded after Jean-Claude Duvalier's fall. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration opened an office in Port-au- Prince in October 1987 to help Haitian authorities control drug trafficking; however, the lack of a professional police force in Haiti hindered these efforts. The FAd'H appeared ambivalent toward the narcotics issue because drug-related corruption reportedly involved hundreds of members of the officer corps and because some officers resented pressure from Washington. Avril, however, attempted to placate United States concerns by dismissing some officers linked to drug trafficking. The most prominent among the dismissed officers was Col. Jean-Claude Paul, a former commander of the Dessalines Battalion, who was indicted in March 1988 by a Florida grand jury on charges of cocaine distribution.[17] Haiti had signed an extradition treaty with the United States, but the agreement did not cover narcotics-related offenses, so Paul never faced trial on the charges.
Paul's continued service in the army posed a political problem, and Avril asked him to retire. In November 1988, however, Paul died mysteriously, possibly a victim of poisoning. Paul's death removed a major narcotics figure and a potential threat to Avril's political power.
Unstable and unstructured civilian politics and institutions also undermined Haiti's stability. Some Duvalierists sought to use the armed forces completely or partially to restore the ancien régime. At the same time, more democracy-oriented civilian groups, all of which lacked strong institutional bases, continued to be suspicious of the army's political leadership. The weak economy and the international media's criticism of Haitian affairs resulted in financial and public-relations problems for the army; and, because Haiti's political environment remained volatile and because the army did not always appear to be in control of the country, Haiti faced more unrest and the possible development of insurgency movements. On the one hand, Haiti's armed forces was still one of the few institutions of national magnitude, but, on the other hand, the armed forces suffered from serious institutional deterioration and diminished cohesion. In 1989 the military was struggling to provide political leadership at a time when it faced its own disintegration.
After years of military interference in politics, including dozens of military coups (from two Duvalier-period attempts in1958 and1963 to the last one staged in1991), Haiti disbanded its military in 1995. Haiti's National Assembly created new civilian law enforcement, with the heavily armedHaitian National Police, and theHaitian Coast Guard, with the help of the United States and the United Nations. However, no official constitutional amendment to abolish the military was introduced. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has been authorized to complete the disarmament and demobilization of any remaining militias.[18]
Without its own military, Haiti relies heavily on United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces. The multinational force has been responsible for quelling riots and preparing for democratic elections. Before UN forces arrived, a multilateral force made up of troops from Canada, Chile, France, and the United States helped stabilize the country under the interim leadership of President Boniface Alexandre.[18]
Haiti has no obvious external threats. Tensions have long existed between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, but the current border has been fixed since 1936.[18]
In July 2017 the BBC announced that Haiti's government had launched a campaign to re-establish the army[19] afterMINUSTAH termination. According to the announcement, the government wanted to recruit about 500 men and women, between the ages of 18 and 25, who have passed their secondary education exams. The role of the army would be to help deal with natural disasters and to patrol Haitian borders.[19]
Members of the Haitian military are being trained and formed through military cooperation withEcuador,[20]Mexico[21] andArgentina.[22][23] Since the formation of the TPC and the Conille cabinet, meetings have been held with the United States, France, Argentina, Mexico, Taiwan, Brazil, Colombia[24] and Canada on the matters of defense partnership, military cooperation, training, and military acquisitions.[citation needed]
The Haitian Armed Forces have been deployed to areas hit with natural disasters like the 2021 earthquake, performed sanitation, medical and vaccination campaigns, and more recently have been deployed to support theHaitian National Police in the fight against gang violence and terrorism. Servicemembers currently protect the Airport perimeter, and have been operating a patrolling in areas like the Champ-de-Mars, Delmas, Solino, and Bicentenaire. The government intends to deploy military members to protect the bay of Port-au-Prince and the port, as well as fight increasing piracy. A new military base was opened in the metropolitan area in late November 2024 to increase the capacities of the armed forces.
The army and air force were the better equipped branches of the armed forces, with the navy the least equipped over the years and up to 1994.
The equipment of the last standing army, most of it from the United States, was taken by theUS Army in the 1990s duringOperation Uphold Democracy:
After remobilization of Haitian Army by President Jovenel Moïse, Haitian Army will purchase military ground vehicles from Russia, China, Brazil, South Korea, and Israel in 2019 as part of an overall re-equipment plan.[citation needed]
The Haitian Navy existed in the 19th century and parts of the 20th century. In the 1900s, the fleet mostly consisted of gunboats and other small vessels before the U.S. occupation in 1915, at which point almost all of its ships were sold. After 1915, only two unarmedschooners were kept for the Haitian coast guard.[25]
Before 1915 the fleet included the following:[25]
The ships from the fleet that existed in the 1980s was handed over to theHaitian Coast Guard following the disbandment of the military.
The currentFAd'H, has about 2000 members, the exact number is not known. As of 2024, only the Army and the Aviation Corps are operational.The Haitian Navy (La Marine Haitienne) is a work in progress, with officers and NCOs currently being formed, by Argentina at theEscuela Naval Militar.
The Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Haiti (Grand Quartier Général des Forces Armées d'Haiti) seats at its historical site[26] on theChamp de Mars, across from the ground of theNational Palace (Palais National).
The Corps of Engineers are based on an installation on theBicentenaire, adjacent to the old locales of the Venezuelan embassy. The National Guard Unit and Medical Unit are based in the Military Aviation Base.
The Aviation Corps (Corps d'Aviation des Forces Armées d'Haiti) has its garrison at the Military Aviation Base (Base de l'Aviation Militaire), located at the former base of theChilean Air Force battalion of theMINUSTAH (attached toToussaint Louverture International Airport).
There is currently only one recruit depot used for basic training, the "Centre de Formation Militaire Anacaona de Léogâne" (Anacaona Military Training Center of Léogâne), located on a former MINUSTAHSouth Korean Army battalion base inLéogâne.
On 3 October, The Defense Ministry and Transitional Presidential Council announced plans to install an additional military base[27] inTabarre, on the grounds of a former MINUSTAH camp that housed theBrazilian Army infantry battalion, theParaguayan Army Corps of Engineers battalion, and theArgentine Air Force Mobile Field Hospital from 2004 to 2017. Across the road from the site is the locale of theUnited States embassy inPort-au-Prince. The base, named "Base Vertières" would be inaugurated on November 18, 2024, for the occasion of the 221st anniversary of theBattle of Vertières. The installation is over 2.5 acres in area, will have a basic training camp, and is adequate to host military equipment including helicopters.[28]
The government also has plans of building training camps in the north and south of the country to rapidly fill up the ranks, and reach the critical numbers required to serve and defend the country.
According to Article 143 of theConstitution of Haiti, the president of the Republic is the nominal head of the armed forces, but does not command them in person. The title of commander-in-chief is held by a general officer who commands the Armed Forces of Haiti, per Article 264–2.
In accordance to Article 266 of theConstitution of Haiti,[29] the duties of the Armed Forces of Haiti are:
The official anniversary date of the Armed Forces of Haiti is November 18, coinciding with the celebrations of the victory of theBattle of Vertières.
The Armed Forces is composed of the Land, Air, and Maritime forces, per Article 264 of the Haitian Constitution.
The service branches are:
On 2 October 2024, PM Conille posted an infographic on hisTwitter account, demonstrating that, in the 2024–25 budget, the defense budget would increase 252%, and the military budget by 463% compared to the previous year.[30] The General Direction of the Budget (and the Ministry of Economy and Finances) released the budget report in the official newspaper of the Republic of Haiti,Le Moniteur; It reported the total budget of the Armed Forces of Haiti atHTG 6.976 billion[31] (USD $52.9 million), a significant increase from HTG 1.272 billion (US$9.6 million) in the 2023–2024 budget: that would place themilitary spending at 0.2% the annualGDP, using the IMF estimate of US$26.27 billion for Haiti, as of October 2024.[32] This increase comes as the TPC and Conille government reiterate their support for modernization in the Armed Forces of Haiti, so it can increase its operational capabilities, and take its rightful place in defense and service of the nation. "Security cannot wait" said Prime MinisterGarry Conille. Investment in the working and living conditions on military installations, and in healthcare, lodging for the troops and their families are also part of the promises made by the Conille government.[33]
Presidential Council member,Fritz Alphonse Jean, brought up plans to establish an emergency "war budget" to better fund and equip the armed forces and police to fight rampant gang violence and terrorism.[34]
The plans of modernization of the Armed Forces of Haiti included making it a professional military, a force that was more than just a fighting force. In 2015, Haiti would complete the workshop for the White Book of Defense and Durable Development in collaboration with theInter-American Defense Board,[35] making it the firstcaribbean nation to obtain the document, and 19th in the hemisphere. The document is aimed at reinforcing the rule of law and stabilization by modernizing the state institutions. The first component of the remobilized Armed Forces would the Corps of Engineers (CORGE), formed in Ecuador. Mexico would train the National Guard and Special Forces Unit.
Since the formation of theGary Conille Government, and the appointment of Jean Marc Berthier Antoine as Minister of Defense in June 2024, meeting have been had with theambassadors andchargé d'affaires of the United States (as well as representatives from theUnited States Southern Command),[36][37] Taiwan,[38] France,[39] Argentina,[40] Mexico,[41] and Canada[42] These meeting entailed discussions over defense cooperation, security partnership, and the formation and training (basic training and continuing formation) of members of the armed forces. On 28 August 2024, it was reported that the Haitian army conducted a recruitment drive that resulted in 3,000 men being selected for the Haitian army, as part of an effort by Haitian Prime MinisterGarry Conille to expand, modernize and improve military quality of life.[43][44]
On 25 August, outgoing French ambassador Fabrice Mauriès stated that France has always supported the Haitian Armed Forces and confirmed that starting September 2024, members of the armed forces would start travelling toMartinique for training with the French Forces to the Antilles.[45] On 29 August 2024, Taiwan donated personal protection kits to theFAd'H includingballistic helmets, eye protection, vest/plate carrier with pouches, gloves, and knee pads.[46][47]
Human rights protection is a key component of the modernization of the Armed Forces; in August 2024, servicemembers would complete a course onHuman Rights, International Humanitarian Rights, as well Gender Equity. This training was used to update the basic training manual for the future recruit classes.
Negotiations are being had with theUnited Arab Emirates[48] for technical assistance and formation on the matters of defense, operational expertise using military technology, and logistical self-reliance concerning equipment and vehicle maintenance.
While on official visit to Washington, HaitianMinister of Defense Jean Marc Berthier Antoine, held meetings with theOrganization of American States (OAS), theInter-American Defense Board and theInter-American Defense College in the efforts of mustering international support for Haiti in the fight against insecurity,[49] specifically through international support for efforts in modernizing the armed forces.[50] A proposed commission composed of representatives of Ministries of Defense from the region, the IADB and the Department of Hemispheric Security of the OAS, will be tasked of coordinating international efforts to reinforce the Armed Forces of Haiti, with accents on training, technical assistance, and equipment.[51] On 22 October 2024, a 5-year plan to recruit 20,000 officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted troops (or 4000 per year) was unveiled,[52][53] with the support of theSecretary General of the Organization of American States,Luis Almagro[54] and 15 member states (Argentina,Bolivia,Brazil,Chile,Canada,Colombia,Ecuador,El Salvador,United States,Guatemala,Honduras,Mexico,Paraguay, andPeru), via technical cooperation. The minister emphasized the need for training in crisis management, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and security in conflict zones; modernizing training infrastructure, equipping the troops with the necessary tools like APCs, battle vehicles, drones; digitizing management systems, as well improving the working conditions. Minister Berthier Antoine reiterated that the government's priorities were to build a modern, professional armed forces, with hundreds of professions, all crucial to long term security and development.[55]
As of 2025, Haiti is actively working with Taiwan, Mexico, Argentina, France, Colombia, and the United States to reinforce and modernize its armed forces, with training programs with France and Mexico already in the works for 2025.
Procurement has been a challenge for the Armed Forces since its reestablishment. The military is still subject to restrictions by theUnited States Department of State,[56] with theLeahy Law still being in effect. This prohibits the United States from selling or giving any lethal equipment to the Haitian Military.
The largest and only donor to the Armed Forces of Haiti, has been Taiwan. Since 2017, they have given rifles and personal defensive equipment such as ballistic helmets, vests, and knee pads.
As of 2024, the Haitian government has been buying military equipment, such as assault rifles like theTaurus T4, fromBrazil. The Haitian Armed Forces received it latest batch from the government on 4 September 2024, which arrived with Haitian foreign ministerDominique Dupuy after official visit to Brazil. In order to buy larger weapons and combat vehicles, discussions have been had to "move the lines" said an official source.
The Haitian government plans on acquiring ships fromMiami, including thre110-foot Island classpatrol boat, to reinforce its maritime capacities in the defense of the bay and port of Port-au-Prince, and fight piracy activities along the metropolitan coastline.[57] No mentions of reinstating the Haitian Navy were made though.
Prime MinisterGarry Conille traveled to theUAE with a delegation including FAd'H General Azémar,[48] at the invitation of his Emirati homologue, to negotiate the purchase ofarmoured personnel carriers, drones, weapons, and other military technologies from theUnited Arab Emirates,[58] as well as technical assistance.[59] The objective of these discussions are to establish a continuous flow of supply for the military, to increase its operational and logistical capabilities.
The Haitian government has been invited by Argentina[60] and Colombia[61] to pursue commercial defense contracts with their defense manufacturing firms.
The rank insignia ofcommissioned officers.
| Rank group | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Haitian Army |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
| Lieutenant général | Major général | Général de brigade | Colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Major | Capitaine | Lieutenant | Sous-lieutenant | Adjutant | |||||||||||||||
| Lyetnan jeneral | Majò jeneral | Jeneral brigad | Kolonèl | Lyetnan kolonèl | Majò | Kapitèn | Lyetnan | Soulyetnan | Adjitan | |||||||||||||||
| Haitian Aviation Corps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||||
| Lieutenant général | Major général | Général de brigade | Colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Major | Capitaine | Lieutenant | Sous-lieutenant | ||||||||||||||||
| Lyetnan jeneral | Majò jeneral | Jeneral brigad | Kolonèl | Lyetnan kolonèl | Majò | Kapitèn | Lyetnan | Soulyetnan | ||||||||||||||||
| Haitian Navy |  | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
| Rank group | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
The rank insignia ofnon-commissioned officers andenlisted personnel.
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haitian Army |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sergent major | Premier sergent | Sergent-fourrier | Sergent | Caporal | Soldat de première classe | Soldat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sèjan majò | Premye sèjan | Sèjan-fourye | Sèjan | Kaporal | Sòlda premye klas | Sòlda | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Haitian Navy | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Haitian Aviation Corps | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In March 2023, then Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry signaled that he wanted to mobilize the Haitian military to deal with rising gang related violence that has swept much of the country in the wake of the crisis.[63]After the terrorist attacks on the several prisons, including the Port-au-Prince prison (Pénitencier National), and several police stations the weekend of 2 March 2024, the Haitian military was deployed to the Toussaint Louverture International Airport to repel the gang assaults of 4 March 2024, defend and secure the airport.[64] They were also task to protect theBank of the Republic of Haiti and the port of Port-au-Prince. As of 27 August 2024, Prime Minister Conille confirmed that the Armed Forces were operating alongside theHaitian National Police and the Kenyan contingent of theMultinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, in the neighborhoods of Bel-Air and Solino.[65]
The government intends to deploy elements to theBay of Port-au-Prince to counter the gangs' attacks on port facilities and defend the water againstpiracy. On 4 October, it was confirmed that troops had deployed to theArtibonite department, in response to thePont-Sondé massacre committed by the "Gran Grif" gang that resulted in over 70 deaths.[66]
Taiwan so far has been the largest international donor to the FAd'H. 100 sets of protection equipment and 100T-91 rifles were donated during former Taiwanese presidentTsai Ing-wen’s visit to Port-au-Prince in 2019. In August 2024, part of 400 total personal protection kits were donated to the FAd'H via the Taiwan Embassy. The outgoing ambassador Wen-Jiann Ku reiterated that Taiwan has been a supporter of the Haitian Armed Forces since its remobilization. "...Taiwan was the first and only supplier of the army.", he said in an interview withLe Nouvelliste on 2 September 2024. Ku also showed his satisfaction with other international partners showing the will to support, supply, and work with the Armed Forces. "...After discussions with the authorities, Taiwan will furnish other equipment to the army and they are already on their way to be delivered to Haiti.", he said, confirming that additional military equipment are already on the way.[67]
The equipment of the National Equipment Center (CNE) were transferred to the Corps of Engineers,[68] in the objective of reinforcing the military's capacities. On 4 September 2024, Prime Minister Conille supervised the delivery of material purchased by the government, including weapons, to the armed forces.[69] The details and what the purchase included is not yet known. .
*Records of small arms acquisitions are not publics. The list is a compilation of weapons pictured being carried by soldiers on duty.
The initial troops were formed inEcuador between 2012 and 2017, during theMichel Martelly administration, as part of a cooperation accord between the two countries dating back to 2010, and revised in 2015.[79] The soldiers of the Corps of Engineers (Corps du Génie, CORGE), were formed at the "Escuela Superior Militar Eloy Alfaro" inQuito, including 4commissioned officers. Additionally, in 2015, 40 Commissioned Officers were formed at the "Escuela de Formación de Soldados Vencedores del Cenepa" inAmbato and 27enlisted would obtain an 8 months formation at the "Escuela de Formación Militar de Santo Domingo de Los Colorados" inSanto Domingo, Ecuador.[80]
Taiwan so far has been the largest international donor to the FAd'H. 100 sets of protection equipment and 100T-91 rifles were donated during former Taiwanese presidentTsai Ing-wen’s visit to Port-au-Prince in 2019.[81]
In August 2024, 100 of 400 total personal protection kits were donated to the FAd'H via the Taiwan Embassy.[82] The outgoing ambassador Wen-Jiann Ku reiterated that Taiwan has been a supporter of the Haitian Armed Forces since its remobilization. "...Taiwan was the first and only supplier of the army.", he said in an interview withLe Nouvelliste on 2 September 2024. Ku also showed his satisfaction with other international partners showing the will to support, supply, and work with the Armed Forces. "...After discussions with the authorities, Taiwan will furnish other equipment to the army and they are already on their way to be delivered to Haiti.", he said, confirming that additional military equipment are already on the way.[67]
After former defense minister Hervé Denis' attendance to the CDMA in Mexico in 2018,[83] a Mexican delegation headed by Brigadier General Porfilio Fuentes travelled to Haiti to meet the Haitian armed forces high command, where they held a two-day workshop on the strategies of military cooperation and support to the ministry.[84] As part of the bilateral cooperation accord betweenMexico and Haiti, signed on 7 October 2018, 50Non-commissioned officer of the Armed Forces of Haiti get a formation at the "Escuela Militar de Sargentos"[85] of theMexican Army, inPuebla, Mexico.[86][87][88] On 16 August 2019, the first class of servicemembers formed in Haiti, composed of 248 soldiers, 50 NCOs, and 15 officers, would graduate from the recruiting depot at theAnacaona Military Training Center, inLéogâne.[89][90] That class was trained by Mexican military instructors, led by Colonel Léon Borja. The 15 officers would then travel to Mexico for further training at theTemamatla military mase.[91][92] In 2022, 29 NCOs would get trained at the "Centro de Adiestramiento de Fuerzas Especiales" inTemamatla, Mexico to becomedrill instructors in order to facilitate the formation of new soldiers on Haitian soil.[93][94] Another company of 150 soldiers would go to Mexico to get a formation by the Mexican Army andMexican National Guard, in subjects includingdrone warfare,guerilla warfare,sniper training,demolition. That company upon their return to Haiti would become the National Guard Unit (Unité de Garde Nationale)[95] that was trained.[96][97][98][99]
30 soldiers in 2022, and 100 in 2023, travelled to Mexico forspecial operations training with theCuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales, becoming the firstSpecial forces unit of the newFAd'H.[100][101][102][103]
On December 5th 2024, a meeting between the newly appointed defense minister Jean Michel Moise, and the chargé d'affaires of Mexico in Haiti, Jesus Cisneros, reaffirmed existing military cooperation between both countries. They announced that this cooperation will continue and expand going into 2025, with assistance to the FAD'H to build training facilities on the newly established "Vertières" base, which will also serve as a basic training camp. Talks were also held over building awarrant officer program with aims to professionalize and modernize the armed forces.[104] In an interview withLe Nouvelliste, Mr. Cisneros states that Mexico hopes to provide specialized training to more than 100 Haitian servicemen during 2025, one of those subjects being pilot training. He also announced that a project of non-lethal military aid to the Haitian military was on the way.[105]
Argentina has been providing scholarship to Haitian cadets to attend their military academies.[106] As of now, only theEscuela Naval Militar[107] and theEscuela de Aviación Militar[108] have hosted cadets, at both officer and non-commissioned officer level. On 16 March 2023, Ambassador Vilbert Bélizaire andBrigadier General Xavier Isaac signed a cooperation protocol between theArmed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the Armed Force of Haiti, formalizing a program of training and technical assistance from the Escuela de Aviacion to the FAD'H.[109]
There have been discussions to establish a formal military cooperation accord between the two countries.[110][111][112] On 22 August 2024, the chargé d'affaires of Haiti to Argentina, Mrs. Olga Ducasse, met withBrigadier generalXavier Isaac,Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of theArmed Forces of the Argentine Republic, to discuss the advancements of military cooperation between Haiti and Argentina.
Defense minister Berthier Antoine met with his Argentine homologue,Luis Petri, at the XVI Conference of Defense Minister in the Americas (CDMA), on 16 October 2024, where talks were had over existing military cooperation and defense partnership, and over new ways to expand them.[113] He let know that an increasing number of Haitian servicemembers would benefit from training from Argentine Forces and military academies. He also toldLe Nouvelliste that Argentina would be providing non-lethal equipment to the Haitian military, and are open to commercial partnerships in order to provide lethal equipment.[60]
While there is no public documentation of purchases, Haiti has been purchasing small arms fromBrazil, mainly theTaurus T4rifle and theTaurusTH9pistol. The last batch arrived on 4 September 2024, with Minister of Foreign AffairsDominique Dupuy, after her official trip to Brazil.[114]
In April 2024, on in interview on Haitian news outlet Metropole, The ambassador ofFrance to Haiti, Fabrice Mauriès, stated that France was open to military cooperation with Haiti[115] and that discussions were had with the Haitian government to form servicemembers in their bases in theAntilles.On 18 September 2024, Defense Minister Berthier Antoine, French Ambassador Antoine Michon, and Lt. Col. Laoufi of the French Forces in the Antilles would announce that 50 or so members of the FAd'H would be traveling toMartinique for continuing formation with theFrench Armed Forces to theAntilles, called the"SABRE Haiti" partnership.[115][116][117]The first contingent of 25 soldier traveled to Martinique, from 3rd to the 17th of November 2024, where they trained with the 33rd Marine Infantry Regiment of theFrench Navy. The training coveredurban warfare, open area combat, combat rescue & first aid, weapon handling, familiarization of theFAMAS, and other techniques.[118][119][120][121][122][123]
On December 6, 2024, newly appointed Defense Minister Jean Michel Moise hosted ambassador Michon, who reaffirmed France's willingness to continue and expand this cooperation, by bolstering the Armed Forces of Haiti through technical assistance on recruiting and basic training. A new accord between theMinistry of Defense (Haiti) and theMinister of the Armed Forces (France) will be signed, to train a new class of recruits, starting in February 2025.[124]
During the 1st "Benin-CARICOM Foreign Ministers Meeting" inCotonou, Haitian foreign minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste met with his Beninois counterpart,Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, and some high-ranking officials of theBenin Armed Forces on January 9, 2025. Discussions were held over the security issues in Haiti, with the objectives of reinforcing the capacities of Haitian Armed Forces.[125]
On January 11, 2025, at the Sofitel Hotel, amemorandum of understanding was signed by both parties that included military training,Intelligence sharing, jointmilitary exercises, and military assistance in the event of threats in or to either nations.[126]
As part of the Colombia-Haiti Binational Ministers Council, Haitian defense minister Jean Michel Moise met with his Colombian counterpart,Iván Velásquez Gómez, inBogota, to discuss bilateral defense cooperation. They also discussed military cooperation to face mutual security challenges (particularlytransnational crimes,drug trafficking and other contraband). Mr. Moise stated thatColombia had manifested its will to assist Haiti, in the short and long term, in reinforcing and developing the Armed Forces.[127][128] In an interview to"Gazette Haiti",TPC coordinator Leslie Voltaire let know that the Colombian government (led by PresidentGustavo Petro) had invited the Haitian government to make their military and security acquisitions (small arms, armored vehicles, boats, etc.) in Colombia. He also mentioned their openness to train Haitian servicemembers on Colombian soil. President Petro invitedBrazil,Chile,Peru, andMexico to join this cooperation bloc.[61] On December 16, 2024, Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier, visited the HQ of theMilitary Forces of Colombia in Bogota, and theColombian Navy shipyard inCartagena to observe the functioning of the Colombian armed forces andshipbuilding operations.
In an interview toRadio Métropole, the spokesperson of theTransitional Presidential Council, Mr. Jacques Ambroise, declared that military cooperation to increase the naval capabilities of the Armed Forces of Haiti was in the works.[129] A defense and military cooperation accord was signed on January 22, 2025 by Haitian and Colombian Defense Ministries, when the Colombian delegation, led by President Petro, is visitedJacmel.[130][131] Haitian troops are expected to travel to Colombia for training.
In 2021, talks were held between Dr. Louis Marie Montfort Saintil, the Ambassador of Haiti inSpain, andColonel Carlos Sanchez Bas of theSpanish Air and Space Force in the objectives of exploring avenues of cooperation, more precisely in the field of reorganization and modernization of theAeronautical Corpsof theArmed Forces of Haiti.[132]
After the Haitian military successfully repelled terrorist attacks onToussaint Louverture International Airport on the afternoon of 4 March 2024 and helped secure it, theUnited States Department of State stated, although it had not changed its general policy on the Haitian military, it could provide non-lethal aid to the Armed Forces of Haiti.[56] Twice the Defense Minister, Jean Marc Berthier Antoine, would meet with the Defense Attaché of theU.S. Embassy,United States Coast GuardCMDR Anne Grabins, andForeign Area Officer/Deputy Security Cooperation DirectorUnited States Army Major Joseph "Tripp" Callaway, both part ofUnited States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The first meeting would be on 3 July, in the presence of AmbassadorDennis Hankins.[133] The second meeting, on 13 August 2024, would include Lieutenant General (then Brigadier General) Derby Guerrier and Major Ted Tesnor.[134] Topics of discussions included avenues of defense partnership between the two countries, and training of Haitian servicemembers.
On 15 October 2024, while attending the XVI Conference of Defense Ministers in the Americas (CDMA) inMendoza, Argentina, the defense minister met with theUnited States Secretary of the NavyCarlos Del Toro.[135] After the conference, in an interview withLe Nouvelliste, he stated that the United States had now decided to support the Armed Forces of Haiti.[136]
Haitian Defense Minister Jean-Michel Moïse welcomed Mr. Hankins and Major Callaway this his offices on December 30, 2024, for discussions rooted in the modernization & reinforcing of theFAD'H. They discussed the integration of the Haitian military into theState Partnership Program with theLouisiana National Guard (initiated in 2011[137]) to reinforce operational capacities, promote technical and strategic subject matter exchange. They also discussed the respect of human rights by servicemembers to ensure a responsible military institution, respecting of democratic values, and finally the matter of recruitment and training of recruits to increase the ranks.[138][139] Lieutenant (ret.) Emmanuel Paul, the chief of the staff of Defense Minister Moise, confirmed to Le Nouvelliste that the United States are willing to strengthen partnership with the Haitian military, particularly with training, as well as military aid (lethal and nonlethal), to respond to the security woes of the country.[140]
Defense Minister Berthier Antoine, would meet with the Ambassador ofCanada, André François Giroux, on 9 September 2024, over cooperation and partnership on the matters of defense.[42] Later on, at the CDMA in Argentina, he had an exchange with Canadian Defence MinisterBill Blair over the same subject.
EmiratiVice PresidentMansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan invited Haitian Prime Minister Conille to visit theUnited Arab Emirates, where he and his delegation including aFAD'H officer inspected potential material and equipment required by the armed forces. He was also introduced to security and defense experts, who could provide training and technical assistance on the matters ofsurveillance andintelligence. The PM stated that an accord of cooperation was almost done, to streamline the procurement of drones, armored vehicles, weapons, munitions, and spare parts for the security forces.[141][48]
A meeting between the Haitian ministry of defense and 15 member states of theOrganization of American States was initiated by the permanent mission of Haiti to the OAS to call for the support of the international community to improve the security situation in the country. After the meeting, the defense minister Berthier Antoine announced a 5-year plan to recruit 20,000 troops.[142] The OAS intend to support this plan via technical cooperation; a commission will coordinate and supervise the process of training officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers.[143][144][55][53][52]
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. Country Studies.Federal Research Division.
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