Fight against gangs in Haiti: the Minister of Defense calls for strengthening the army
By Wideberlin SENEXANT · Port-au-Prince
· 2 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
During the 10th edition of Mardis de la Nation, Minister of Defense Jean-Michel Moïse warned against the severity of the security crisis in Haiti and advocated for an urgent revival of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd’H). He outlined the current weaknesses of the military apparatus and urged regional and international partners to support recovery efforts.
Strengthening the FAd’H
Speaking from the Primature on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the minister emphasized that the insecurity plaguing Haiti constitutes a regional danger. According to him, the rise of armed criminal groups exceeds the current capabilities of legal forces. In this regard, he called for a coordinated continental response to prevent a complete collapse of public order in the area. Jean-Michel Moïse also detailed the main obstacles to the reconstruction of the FAd’H. The Gressier military training center remains halted due to persistent insecurity, while the construction of the future Tabarre base is progressing slowly due to the unavailability of materials. Military equipment, already insufficient, is far inferior to that possessed by gangs. Military Cooperation in Sight
Jean-Michel Moïse took the opportunity to commend certain ongoing partnerships. Mexico has agreed to train 700 Haitian soldiers in several waves, and France also supports training efforts. Other countries have expressed readiness to contribute, but discussions still need to lead to firm commitments. As part of a diplomatic initiative, the minister recalled that a Haitian delegation comprising presidential advisor Smith Augustin and Minister of Justice Patrick Pélissier recently met with representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington. The objective: to raise international awareness of the scale of the threat and obtain concrete assistance. The minister insisted on the importance of equipping the army with means adapted to current threats. He wishes to establish bases in each department of the country, recruit qualified personnel, and modernize the military arsenal. For him, restoring the army's capacity for action is essential for the re-establishment of national sovereignty.
Speaking from the Primature on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the minister emphasized that the insecurity plaguing Haiti constitutes a regional danger. According to him, the rise of armed criminal groups exceeds the current capabilities of legal forces. In this regard, he called for a coordinated continental response to prevent a complete collapse of public order in the area. Jean-Michel Moïse also detailed the main obstacles to the reconstruction of the FAd’H. The Gressier military training center remains halted due to persistent insecurity, while the construction of the future Tabarre base is progressing slowly due to the unavailability of materials. Military equipment, already insufficient, is far inferior to that possessed by gangs. Military Cooperation in Sight
Jean-Michel Moïse took the opportunity to commend certain ongoing partnerships. Mexico has agreed to train 700 Haitian soldiers in several waves, and France also supports training efforts. Other countries have expressed readiness to contribute, but discussions still need to lead to firm commitments. As part of a diplomatic initiative, the minister recalled that a Haitian delegation comprising presidential advisor Smith Augustin and Minister of Justice Patrick Pélissier recently met with representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington. The objective: to raise international awareness of the scale of the threat and obtain concrete assistance. The minister insisted on the importance of equipping the army with means adapted to current threats. He wishes to establish bases in each department of the country, recruit qualified personnel, and modernize the military arsenal. For him, restoring the army's capacity for action is essential for the re-establishment of national sovereignty.
