Wilson Joseph, also known as “Lanmo Sanjou,” a prominent figure leading the “400 Mawozo” gang in Haiti, asserted in a recent video that the four Salvadoran soldiers who went missing in the Chen Mechan area are dead. Joseph, who has a $1 million bounty on his head from the United States, made these statements regarding the soldiers’ fate after they disappeared amid conflict.
In his video, Joseph claimed that his group had initially captured the Salvadoran soldiers alive. He indicated that if the soldiers had been captured in territory controlled by his group, they would have been held as hostages to negotiate with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Joseph’s demands would reportedly have included the withdrawal of foreign troops present in Haiti.
Regarding the circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ disappearance, Joseph stated that the events unfolded during a mistaken encounter that arose from clashes in the Chen Mechan area. He explained that his men acted upon hearing gunfire and noticing individuals who were not from their controlled territory, leading to what he described as a tragic mistake resulting in the deaths of the Salvadorans.
The Salvadoran government has yet to respond officially to Joseph’s claims or provide updates on the search for the missing soldiers. The situation continues to develop as international attention remains focused on the escalating violence and insecurity in Haiti.
