El President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, announced on Wednesday that four Salvadoran members of a UN-backed security force were being held hostage by Haitian gangs. In response, a military operation was initiated to safely retrieve them. Both El Salvador’s military and the UN Gang Suppression Force, which is assisting Haitian police in combating gangs, had previously attempted to locate the missing Salvadorans but faced challenges due to intense fighting in the region.
Bukele confirmed the launch of the military operation to rescue the hostages in a statement on social media. The specific details of the operation and the identity of the group holding the Salvadorans were not disclosed. The Gang Suppression Force did not offer immediate comment on the situation.
The four Salvadorans went missing after escaping from a burning armored vehicle that came under attack by armed gangs on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince while returning from a market to their base. Haitian gangs have gained significant control over the capital and surrounding areas in recent years 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, which, after a year of operation, has only reached a fraction of its intended capacity and has had limited success in improving security in Haiti. Bukele clarified that the missing individuals were aviation technicians and not involved in combat activities, emphasizing their role in medical evacuations and saving lives.
The government of Haiti emphasized the urgency of the situation, labeling the abduction of the aviation technicians as a top priority. Measures were discussed during a meeting at the prime minister’s office to enhance operations in collaboration with the Gang Repression Force. All necessary resources were pledged to secure the release of the abducted soldiers.
