Blogs de Haití

El ex soldados haitianos Irritado regresaron en forma para nada

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haití - Inmediatamente después que el presidente Michel Martelly anunció su plan para renunciar a reinstaurar el ejército haitiano, una serie de ex-militares miembros reaccionaron con enojo a la noticia, diciendo que han pasado semanas volver a estar en forma físicamente para aparentemente nada.

“As a presidential candidate, Martelly made a campaign promise to remobilize the disbanded military, which led many of us to start getting fit and ready for the new army,” said former Sgt. Levelt Estavien wearing a combat uniform. “After the hard work we put in these past few months, this is how he rewards us?”

Following Martelly’s election victory, hundreds of ex-servicemen said they made a commitment to improve their level of fitness before reporting for duty.

“I’ll be the first one to admit that I got out of shape,” said the 42-year-old who has not exercised since he served in the old army. “So, I started working out. I hit the weights almost every day. I watched what I ate. I made a lot of painful sacrifices, you know. And for what?”

Added Estavien, “I even bought a large supply of multivitamins and protein supplements to help rebuild my muscles. That’s just money down the drain.”

Estavien said he and many fellow ex-soldiers expected Martelly to issue a decree restoring the new military on November 18th. Instead, the president opted to establish a civil commission to study the matter.

“We were all excited. All of us were counting down the days to impress everyone,” said Estavien now regretting the hours of grueling exercise sessions he undertook to help him return to his fighting shape. “Then, the president changed his mind. Thanks a lot.”

Though Martelly insisted he is determined to pursue the army’s restoration, many former soldiers now believe the formation of a civil commission means the end of bringing back the armed forces. “Words cannot describe how ticked off we are,” said Estavien who has lost complete hope of rejoining the army. “Everything we did – the daily workouts, the military mock drills, the healthy eating – it’s all been for nothing.”