Armed Forces of Haiti
Combined military forces of Haiti / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Armed Forces of Haiti (French: Forces Armées d'Haïti; FAd'H) are the military forces of the Republic of Haiti, currently consisting of the Haitian Army, which has about 700 active personnel as of 2023.[2] There is also a Haitian Coast Guard that is part of the National Police.[3]
Armed Forces of Haiti | |
---|---|
Forces Armées d'Haïti (French) | |
Founded | 18 May 1803[1] |
Current form | 17 November 2017 |
Service branches | Haitian Army |
Headquarters | Port-au-Prince, Haiti |
Leadership | |
Commander-in-Chief | Brig. Gen Sadrac Saintil |
Personnel | |
Military age | 18–25 |
Available for military service | 5,534,135, age 15–49 |
Active personnel | 700 (2023)[2] |
Expenditure | |
Percent of GDP | 1.2 |
Industry | |
Foreign suppliers | Turkey China Brazil United States Russia Taiwan Mexico Cuba South Africa France |
Related articles | |
History | Military history of Haiti |
Ranks | Military ranks of Haiti |
The Haitian military originated during the Haitian Revolution as the Indigenous 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,[4] with the emergence of a military elite that held the political and economic power in the country.[5] 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.[6] Between 1804 and 1915, all except one of Haiti's 26 heads of state were military officers.[7]
The Indigenous Army was disbanded during the United States occupation of Haiti in 1915 and replaced by the American-trained and -led Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie d'Haïti). In 1934, it was renamed the Garde d'Haiti and returned to Haitian command, before being renamed the Army of Haiti in 1947.[8] Finally, it was changed to the Armed Forces of Haiti in 1958 during the rule of François Duvalier.[9] After years of military interference in politics, including dozens of military coups and attempted coups, Haiti disbanded its military in 1995.[10] The Haitian National Police was established that same year to take over security.[3]
On 17 November 2017, the armed forces were restored by President Jovenel Moise. The Army was reestablished in 2018. The President suspended the previous executive orders by then President Jean-Bertrand Aristide who suspended and disbanded the armed forces on 6 December 1995.
As of 2023, an infantry battalion with 700 soldiers is in the process of being formed and there is also a small coast guard with 50 personnel,[2] though the Coast Guard is part of the Haitian National Police.[3]