El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has dispatched a specialized unit of elite troops to Haiti to locate four missing soldiers. These soldiers were reportedly abducted by gangs near Port-au-Prince last Sunday.
The missing servicemen, who are aeronautical technicians involved in medical evacuations as part of the United Nations-supported Gang Suppression Force (GSF), were ambushed after returning from a food run in the Santos neighborhood of Croix-des-Bouquets, northeast of Haiti's capital.
Official reports indicate that the assailants fired hundreds of rounds and used explosives against the armored vehicle, which was set ablaze, resulting in a loss of contact with the four soldiers.
Reports from France24 indicate that at least six aircraft—three from El Salvador and three from the United States—have landed in Port-au-Prince carrying these elite forces.
Search and Rescue Operations Intensify
The search efforts are focused on Plaine du Cul-de-Sac and strongholds in Santo, Marassa, Shada, and Croix-des-Bouquets, in partnership with the Haitian National Police.
On Wednesday, Bukele took to his X account to issue a warning in Haitian Creole directly to gang leaders: “Today’s attack is nothing compared to what will happen if the four hostages are not released alive.”
Gang Leaders React
At least two gang leaders responded with videos on social media, openly challenging the Central American president.
Wilson Joseph, known as "Lanmò San Jou," leader of the 400 Mawozo gang—which, along with Chen Mechan, is accused of the abduction—displayed a cache of ammunition as a direct provocation.
This Friday, Bukele dismissed comparisons of the mission to a doomed endeavor, citing religious beliefs: “All enlisted are believers, and we have entrusted this mission to God, while the gangs in Haiti are satanic and known for human sacrifices. God will grant us victory. The Creator of the Universe is with us.”
Critics and Concerns
However, analysts caution that the offensive has not yielded visible results. Romain Le Cour, director of the Haiti Observatory at Global Initiative, remarked, “Residents describe a week-long barrage of fire, yet there’s no visible progress in recovering the four Salvadoran soldiers, the main goal of these operations.”
Le Cour also questioned the incident’s circumstances: “Four Salvadoran soldiers were driving without an escort in a gang-controlled area on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince on a Sunday afternoon. No one has explained why they were there.”
He added, “This is the first time in years that a security incident in Haiti has, and will continue to have, international repercussions of this scale.”
The analyst further warned that the offensive might reinvigorate Viv Ansanm, the coalition of leading Haitian gangs, which had shown signs of fragmentation before the incident.
Haiti is enduring a severe humanitarian crisis since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Gangs dominate between 80% to 90% of Port-au-Prince's metropolitan area, displacing over 1.4 million people.
The GSF, established by the UN in September 2025 to restore order, has authorization for up to 5,500 troops but currently operates with just 2,000, contributed by six countries.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Situation in Haiti
What is the current mission of the Gang Suppression Force in Haiti?
The GSF, supported by the United Nations, aims to restore order in Haiti by combating gang violence and has been authorized to deploy up to 5,500 troops.
Why did President Bukele send troops to Haiti?
President Bukele deployed elite troops to Haiti to locate and rescue four Salvadoran soldiers who went missing after being ambushed by gangs near Port-au-Prince.
How has the international community responded to the situation in Haiti?
The international community, including the United States, has shown support by deploying resources and troops to assist in stabilizing the situation and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.