Armed Forces Begin to Replace Brazilian Troops in Haiti

Brazilian Ministry of Defense

15/11/2012

The Brazilian Military's mission in Haiti is to provide security and ensure human rights, especially for women and children. (Photo: Brazilian Navy/Felipe Barra)

On November 4, a total of 130 troops from the Brazilian Navy, Army, and Air Force (FAB) boarded a KC-137 airplane bound for the Haitian capital of Port au Prince, where they will form part of the new Brazilian contingent in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Nine extra flights have been assigned to transport 1,300 Soldiers to the Caribbean nation before the beginning of December. This will be Brazil?s 17th contingent deployment to Haiti. The country has been leading MINUSTAH since the mission was created, in 2004.

In order to reinforce the logistic activities of the MINUSTAH, the Brazilian Navy had already deployed the Combat Vehicle Landing Ship ?Garcia D?Avila?, the week before. The vessel will transport material from the Squadron and Army Marine Force to supply the contingents of the Brazilian troops in Haiti, and replace material that will be repatriated and requires maintenance.

Brazil is the country with the highest headcount in the Caribbean nation due to its leadership in the mission?s Military component. Currently there are 1,878 Brazilian Blue Berets working in Haiti: 249 from the Navy, 1,599 from the Army, and 30 from the Air Force.

These numbers tend to reduce gradually, according to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2070, adopted on October 12, 2012. The document extended the MINUSTAH activities until October 15, 2013.

The organization mandated a 15% reduction in the Military contingent maintained by 19 countries in Haiti. The number of police officers will also be reduced.

The ?gradual withdrawal of the troops? from the Caribbean country was a request from Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim. Since taking office approximately 18 months ago, Amorim stated that ?there cannot be a permanent stay, nor an irresponsible withdrawal? from Haiti.

In his statements and interviews, the Minister has been supporting a favorable exit strategy for both countries. According to Amorim, it is necessary to make the Haitians capable to gradually providing their own security.

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Source: http://dialogo-americas.com/en_GB/articles/rmisa/features/humanitarian_operations/2012/11/15/feature-ex-3672

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