Cooperation: Haitian Police Officers Trained in Colombia

PORT-AU-PRINCE.— As part of a strategic partnership between Haiti and Colombia, a new specialized training program for Haitian police officers will be launched in November 2025. According to an official statement from the Haitian National Police (PNH), this initiative aims to strengthen the technical, operational, and institutional capabilities of the police force, in a national context marked by profound security turbulence. The decision was confirmed following a meeting held on Friday, October 10, at the PNH General Directorate between Commander-in-Chief André Jonas Vladimir Paraison and Vilma Velásquez, Colombia's ambassador to Haiti, accompanied by a diplomatic delegation. Expanding Police Cooperation Discussions focused on several major areas of bilateral security cooperation: continuous training, professional development, and institutional strengthening. The program, supported by the Colombian Presidency through the International Cooperation Agency (APC-Colombia), is part of a South-South cooperation dynamic and institutional solidarity between the two countries. According to the PNH note, both parties also wish to strengthen ties between their national police academies to facilitate a permanent exchange of expertise, methodology, and operational experience. The objective is to enable Haitian police officers to benefit from Colombian experience in the fight against organized crime and the maintenance of public order, areas in which Colombia has recognized regional expertise. This Training: Crucial Support in a Critical Security Context This initiative comes as Haiti is going through a period of acute instability, marked by the expansion of armed groups and the intensification of police operations in several sensitive areas, particularly in Port-au-Prince, Artibonite, and the Central Plateau. Faced with these challenges, the PNH seeks to modernize its intervention strategies and equip its elite units with training adapted to field realities. The Colombian program is thus expected to contribute to strengthening the operational capacity and internal cohesion of the institution, while supporting national stabilization efforts. A Step Towards the Professionalization of the PNH For the PNH command, this partnership reflects a clear desire to further professionalize the Haitian police force and build lasting bridges with the law enforcement of other countries in the region. «This program opens a new phase of cooperation between our two nations. It represents an opportunity for our police officers to acquire modern skills and strengthen their effectiveness in the face of current threats,» affirmed the PNH high command in the statement. By focusing on training and international cooperation, Haiti hopes to consolidate the foundations of a more effective, more disciplined police force, closer to the population; an indispensable condition for the lasting restoration of security and public trust. Jean Mapou