Brazil to Help Haiti Build a Professional Army

Amorim pointed out assistance from Brazil is based on the stipulation Haiti train and pay their soldiers as a professional military operation. In other words, Brazil does not want a volunteer militia that can't perform the job now being handled by UN peacekeeping forces.

Joazile promised the new army would not revert to a volunteer militia. As proof that Haiti is serious about building a professional peacekeeping force, he suggested commanders could earn a degree in civil engineering in Brazil. Training and knowledge of constructing roads, dams, bridges, and other structural forms would prepare Haiti to deal with the frequent tropical storms and earthquakes that routinely damage the country's infrastructure.

Brazilian military forces increased more than two-fold after the 2010 earthquake, and Amorim is emphatic it draw down its forces at a steady pace because, "it is not good for Haiti, the UN, or Brazil that the forces stay there in a permanent way." Beyond the peacekeeping responsibilities, he adds, Haiti needs to be able to provide protection for its borders and coastline.

Reply to this article

Read more: Military, Jean Rodolphe Joazile, Brazil, Defense Minister, Military

« Brazil and Ecuador to Help Rebuild Haitian Army | Main | Brazil and Ecuador to Help Rebuild Haitian Army »

Return to Articles List

Our objective is to share with you news and information about Haiti and the people of Haiti. Traditions, habits and the way we were  or  grew are alive in this site. We highly recommend that you Subscribe to our Newsletter and also share with us some of the things that are memorable and made us unique people.