A Brazilian military contingent of 280 troops embarked today to join the United Nations (UN) peace force in Haiti. They will replace the ones that are returning from that country after a six-month stint.
Two Air Force planes, a Hercules C-130 and a Boeing KC-130, left the Galeão Air Base in Rio de Janeiro to transport the group, which includes 205 members of the Army and 75 from the Navy.
“The force is one of peace, and we are going to carry out a difficult mission. The idea is always to work via negotiations, but, if the use of force is necessary, the personnel are prepared, although this is not the main objective,” explained the commander of the first echelon of the 3rd Contingent of the Brazilian Peace Force, Coronel Adilson Mangiavacchi.
He recalled that Brazil has not suffered any casualties since the start of the mission.
The peace force is expected to remain in Haiti at least until December. Brazil has 1,200 troops engaged in the UN mission: 974 from the Army, 225 from the Navy, and 1 from the Air Force.
ABr