Mario Andrésol (65 years old), the new Minister of Defense, sworn into office on March 4, 2026, by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, was born in Port-au-Prince on July 20, 1960. (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46991-haiti-politic-installation-of-the-new-minister-of-defense.html)

Mario Andrésol completed his primary education at the Brothers of the Sacred Heart (John XXIII) and his secondary education at Collège Saint Pierre. After successfully completing his secondary education in Port-au-Prince, he enrolled in the Faculty of Humanities at the State University of Haiti (1980-1982). However, in 1982, after being accepted as a cadet officer into the Haitian Military Academy, he decided to pursue a military career.

A graduate of the Military Academy and a member of the 1982-1984 class, Mario Andrésol immediately went to Fort Benning, a U.S. military base in Georgia. There, in 1985, he successfully completed another year of specialized training as an Infantry Officer at this U.S. Army center.

In 1986, Mario Andrésol obtained a second specialization in police theory and practice after an internship at the Gendarmerie Officer Training School in Melun, France. This dual specialization in infantry and policing significantly enhanced his profile within the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H). At that time, one of the FAd'H's specialized companies was still responsible for policing. This situation persisted until the formal separation, in 1996, of the two public forces established by the 1987 Haitian Constitution: the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H) and the Haitian National Police (PNH).

Returning to Haiti in 1986 after his internship in France, Mario Andrésol enrolled at the National Institute of Management and Advanced International Studies (INAGHEI). He was a full-time student there until 1989, an intense three-year period during which he combined university studies in International Relations with military duties. His thirst for knowledge then led him to New York, from 2001 to 2005, where, in exile, he earned a dual degree in paralegal specialties from the New York Para-Legal School.

Mario Andrésol's professional career in service to his country began in 1986 when he was assigned as a Second Lieutenant to the 39th Company of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), Traffic Division. In 1989, still a Second Lieutenant, he was transferred to the 40th Company of the FAd'H, the Anti-Gang Unit in Port-au-Prince. It was there that he gained his first experience in the fight against organized crime, insecurity, and criminal associations until 1990. That same year, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and quickly assumed new responsibilities as Executive Officer of the 52nd Company, responsible for security at Port-au-Prince International Airport. He held this position until 1994, approximately one year after his promotion to Captain. Between 1994 and 1995, Mario Andrésol successively held the positions of Military Commander of the Jacmel District, the Southeast Department, the Arcahaie District, and the 52nd Company, Security Division at Port-au-Prince International Airport.

Following the creation of the Haitian National Police in 1995, which officially separated military and police functions in the country, Mario Andrésol rose through the ranks of the new police institution. He successively held the positions of Municipal Commissioner of Pétion-ville (1995-1997), Chief Commissioner of the Port-au-Prince District (1997-1998), and Director of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (1998-2001). He was subsequently appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police, a position he held from July 2005 to August 2012.

With his strong academic and professional background, as well as his diverse experience in the military and police fields, Mario Andrésol quickly distinguished himself through his integrity, honesty, discipline, and rigor. These qualities enabled him to rise through the ranks of Haiti's military and police institutions, earning the respect and admiration of his peers. As Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), he had the opportunity to work with three different governments : that of Boniface Alexandre/Latortue (2004-2006, including one year), that of René Préval (2006-2011), and finally that of Michel Martelly (2011-2012).

Andrésol played a crucial role in strengthening democracy in Haiti as Director General of the police. He demonstrated great skill in managing the transitions of three presidents while keeping the institution free from political influence. He even managed to avoid the trap of reconstituting the Haitian Army by refusing to deploy his troops against the remobilized soldiers who had gathered in former FAd'H camps in 2012.

Among his achievements at the head of the police force were increasing personnel numbers, restructuring services with the support of the international community, the first attempt to establish a vetting system, and the longest-running process to establish the professional integrity of the police force. Mario Andrésol also left his post with dignity, without any scandal.

HL/ HaitiLibre