Bukele launches military operation to rescue four Salvadorans held by gangs in Haiti
In short
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said on Wednesday he had launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians taken by gangs in Haiti after an attack on an armored vehicle. He warned of a more forceful response if they are not freed alive and unharmed. Haiti's government called their release an "absolute priority".
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El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said on Wednesday that he had launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians who were kidnapped by gangs in Haiti. He warned of a more forceful response if they are not released alive and unharmed. Reuters reported that El Salvador said Haitian gangs were holding four members of its force hostage and announced a new rescue mission. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
In a post on X, Bukele wrote: "Today's attack is nothing compared to what is coming if they do not release the four hostages alive. And do not take our words as empty threats." Addressing Haitian gang leaders, he demanded the Salvadorans be returned "alive, unharmed" and said that if they were, "everything will go back to the way it was before the kidnapping." He shared video of armored vehicles with shattered windows driving through plumes of smoke. AP noted that it was not immediately clear whether he intended further action by Salvadoran, Haitian or international security forces in the area. [ 3 , 5 ]
According to AP, gangs attacked an armored vehicle on Sunday in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, in Port-au-Prince. The four Salvadorans have been missing since they fled the burning vehicle. AP described it as the first major attack since an international gang suppression force began operating in Haiti. Nobody has claimed responsibility. [ 3 , 5 ]
The UN-backed force is still fighting the gangs in the community where the attack happened and has told residents of the area to stay in their homes, AP reported. The incident shows the power of the gangs, which control about 70% of Port-au-Prince, and comes as Haiti prepares for its first general elections in more than a decade. [ 3 ]
Haiti's government issued a statement on Wednesday evening calling the abduction an "absolute priority". It said a high-level meeting was held at the prime minister's office to assess ongoing interventions and determine measures to strengthen operations in close collaboration with the Gang Repression Force. "The release of the abducted soldiers is an absolute priority, and all necessary resources are being mobilized to achieve this goal," the government said. [ 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The attack is described by the Associated Press as the first major one since an international force began operating against gangs in Haiti. It comes as Haiti prepares for its first general elections in more than a decade, and Bukele's warning raises the question of what further action may follow.
Key facts
- Bukele said on X on Wednesday that El Salvador had launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadorans held by gangs in Haiti. [ 3 , 5 ]
- The four are aviation technicians who have been missing since they fled a burning armored vehicle in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, Port-au-Prince. [ 3 , 5 ]
- The gangs attacked the armored vehicle on Sunday, according to AP. [ 3 ]
- Bukele warned that "today's attack is nothing compared to what is coming" if the four hostages are not released alive. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Haiti's government said the release of the abducted Salvadorans is an "absolute priority" and that all necessary resources are being mobilized. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Gangs control about 70% of Port-au-Prince, according to AP. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What further action Bukele intends and who would carry it out. The Seattle Times, carrying AP copy, said it was not immediately clear if Bukele intended further action by Salvadoran, Haitian or international security forces in the area.
- Who carried out the attack on the armored vehicle. AP reported that nobody has claimed responsibility.
- Where the four Salvadorans are and their condition. The documents say they have been missing since fleeing the burning vehicle and describe them as hostages; no document gives their location or condition.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters published its report that El Salvador says Haitian gangs are holding four force members hostage and has announced a new rescue mission. [ 1 ]
- AP published a Spanish-language report on Bukele's announcement of a rescue operation. [ 3 ]
- The Seattle Times published AP's English report on the operation and the Haitian government's statement. [ 5 ]