Kidnapping of Salvadoran Air Force Members in Haiti

Over the weekend, gangs in Haiti launched an ambush on members of an international security force, resulting in the kidnapping of four Salvadoran Air Force technicians, as confirmed by authorities on Monday.

The Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which operates under U.N. Security Council approval, reported that their vehicle was attacked by gang members in Santo, a village situated northeast of Port-au-Prince. According to their statement, personnel reacted according to the established Rules of Engagement, with helicopters providing aerial support.

On Monday, El Salvador’s Armed Forces acknowledged the abduction of their four technicians, who were in the vehicle when it came under heavy gunfire and explosive attack. Despite the vehicle catching fire, the technicians managed to escape. The helicopters also faced intense fire but were able to deter the gang members.

The GSF’s statement highlighted that operations were initiated in collaboration with troops from other nations deployed in Haiti. However, attempts to reach the area by land and air were complicated by ongoing fighting and dangerous security conditions.

Unnamed sources within the Haitian government reportedly told Le Nouvelliste that the Salvadoran officials were taken by the Chen Mechan gang, which translates to “Mean Dogs” in Haitian Creole. One source mentioned that the technicians had used Google Maps to navigate to a shop in Santo without notifying the Haitian National Police, adding, “We haven’t heard from them since.” The same source noted that GSF and Haitian Police were conducting operations in the vicinity to locate the missing personnel.

“There were fatalities among members of the Chen Mechan gang, but the information suggests that the Salvadorans are being held hostage,” the source shared.

This incident occurred just hours before a U.N. Security Council meeting on the violent situation in Haiti. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, reported that over 1,000 people had been killed and more than 100 abducted from July to September.

During the meeting, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz condemned the attack, stating that while the four technicians were unaccounted for, it was believed they survived the ambush. He expressed support for El Salvador and commitment to bringing the missing personnel home. “To the gangs that perpetrated this cowardly act, if you think you can intimidate this coalition into retreat, you are sorely mistaken,” Waltz remarked.

El Salvador’s U.N. ambassador, Egriselda López, also condemned the ambush and emphasized the serious risks faced by personnel involved in international security efforts in Haiti.

The persistent instability and escalating gang violence have led to the postponement of planned elections in Haiti, originally scheduled for December 2026. The country has not seen an election since Jovenel Moïse was elected in 2016. Moïse was assassinated in July 2021.

During his remarks at the U.N. Security Council, Ruiz Massieu referred to the election postponement, stressing that announcing election dates without proper assessment damages public trust and the credibility of Haitian institutions. He suggested that elections might occur next year if security conditions improve.