Haiti sends soldiers to Mexico as gangs threaten national security

Haiti, a nation grappling with an alarming rise in gang violence, recently announced a significant move to enhance its military capabilities. The Haitian government dispatched 150 soldiers to Mexico for training, which is part of a broader initiative that aims to eventually train a total of 700 soldiers in the country. This decision comes against the backdrop of a severe security crisis in Haiti, particularly in the capital, where gangs have exerted almost complete control over daily life, creating a dire need for decisive action to restore order and safeguard civilians. The period from October 2024 to June 2025 has been particularly grim, as more than 4,800 individuals lost their lives to gang violence during this timeframe. Numerous others have suffered from related crimes, including kidnapping, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as reported by the United Nations. This escalating violence has prompted the Haitian government to take immediate and strategic measures, underscoring the urgency of the situation and the demand for national security to be prioritized. The soldiers will undergo a three-month training program in Mexico and, upon their return, they are expected to collaborate with Haiti's National Police to counteract the pervasive gang influence. This integrated effort is additionally supported by Kenyan police officers who are part of a United Nations-backed mission aimed at stabilizing the region with limited resources. Such collaboration reflects the international community's vested interest in addressing the security crisis in Haiti, which has dire implications not only for the nation but for regional stability as well. In a historical context, Haiti's armed forces were disbanded in 1995 after a coup against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, leading to a power vacuum and subsequent challenges regarding governance and law enforcement. The reinstatement of the military in recent years was part of an overarching strategy initiated by the late President Jovenel Moïse. Haiti's struggle with gang-related violence has been compounded by a myriad of factors, including political instability and economic hardship, thus making the training of soldiers a crucial step toward rebuilding a functional security apparatus capable of enforcing the rule of law.