Sergeant Rene Louis, age 67, wears his helmet that was given to him when he first joined the Haitian army in 1964. Louis is now training new recruits in the army. Though not yet officially recognized by the government, the defunct Haitian army is gathering in training camps across Haiti. The army was disbanded in 1995 by Jean Bertrand Aristide with the help of the U.S. and UN after the the army successfully overthrew Aristide in a coup in 1994. Army veterans who feel they must pass their knowledge on to the next generation are behind the trainings. They believe they have the support of president elect Michel Martelly, who is known to have close ties with many former army officials and who has promised to reinstate the army. This group just a few miles south of Port-au-Prince began training in March, 2010 and their numbers have since grown to more than 800.
Add to Lightbox
