El President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, announced on Wednesday that Haitian criminal groups were holding four Salvadoran members of an international UN-supported security team captive. In response, he initiated a military operation to safely retrieve them.
Both the military of El Salvador and the UN Gang Suppression Force, tasked with aiding Haitian authorities in combating powerful criminal organizations, had previously announced efforts to locate the missing Salvadorans. However, they faced challenges due to ongoing intense conflicts in the area.
Bukele confirmed the military operation through a post on X, but did not disclose specific details about the rescue mission or identify the group responsible for holding the Salvadorans captive. The Gang Suppression Force did not provide an immediate response to requests for comments.
The four Salvadoran individuals went missing after escaping from a burning armored vehicle that was attacked by armed gangs near Port-au-Prince while returning from a market to their base on Sunday, as reported by security officials.
Over the years, Haitian criminal groups have solidified their control over the capital and neighboring areas due to political instability, widespread extortion, and the influx of illegal weapons, primarily from the U.S. Various countries, such as Chad and Sri Lanka, have contributed troops to the Gang Suppression Force. However, the force has only reached a fraction of its intended size and has had limited success in enhancing security in Haiti.
Bukele clarified that the missing individuals were aviation technicians and not combatants, emphasizing that their primary role was to conduct medical evacuations and save lives, not engage in warfare.
The government of Haiti underlined the urgency of the situation, stating that the release of the abducted soldiers was a top priority. A meeting was convened at the prime minister’s office to evaluate ongoing efforts and strategize on reinforcing operations in coordination with the Gang Repression Force. The government assured that all necessary resources were being mobilized to secure the safe return of the abducted individuals.