Salvadoran President Confirms Military Operation in Haiti
On Wednesday, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador shared that the military has initiated a rescue mission in Haiti following the kidnapping of four Salvadoran aviation technicians by local gangs. He issued a clear warning to the captors, threatening further action if the technicians are not released.
Bukele mentioned in a post that the four individuals were part of an international mission and were taken while on their way back from a market where they had gone to buy food. He categorized them as noncombatants, emphasizing their role focused on medical evacuations.
In a message delivered in Haitian Creole, Bukele communicated a stern warning: “We have already dealt with gangs in El Salvador, and we can do the same here.” He expressed determination to rescue the technicians, stating, “Our primary goal today is to bring our four compatriots back home safely and unharmed.”
Furthermore, Bukele indicated that the military operation was launched to ensure the hostages’ return and underscored that any attack conducted by the Salvadoran military was merely a prelude to what might happen if the men were harmed during captivity.
He reiterated that the gangs had a chance to avoid escalation by releasing the kidnapped technicians unharmed, hinting that normalcy could be restored if the hostages were returned safely.
El Salvador already has troops engaged in Haiti as part of the multinational Gang Suppression Force, which, according to the Salvadoran Defense Ministry, carries out medical evacuations, aerial patrols, and supports Haitian police operations.
Back in September 2025, the U.N. Security Council had granted authorization for this force to assist Haitian authorities in combating armed gangs, with a cap of 5,550 personnel. Following this, Salvadoran lawmakers approved a 12-month extension for their deployment starting on October 2.
While Bukele confirmed the military’s involvement, he refrained from specifying the gang responsible for the kidnappings, the exact size of the rescue team, or any developments regarding the release of the technicians in his statements.
