While the Haitian Armed Forces have long been sidelined in the fight against armed gangs, the Ministry of Defense has thrown a curveball by publicly issuing a directive to prepare what remains of the FAD’H for combat. "In accordance with the minister's recommendations, you are hereby required to immediately put the Armed Forces of Haiti on 'Condition D.' Subsequent instructions will follow," reads the note from the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Colonel Louis Marcelin Daniel, to the army's chief commander, General Jodel Lesage.

Contacted on Tuesday evening by Le Nouvelliste, General Lesage explained that "Condition D" in military jargon means the troops are on high alert. According to the Chief of the Armed Forces, the army was already theoretically on high alert in response to the actions of armed gangs.