El Salvador will send over 2,000 soldiers to Haiti in an operation aimed at rescuing four Salvadoran military aviation technicians reported missing, according to the country’s Foreign Ministry. The deployment was confirmed on Wednesday and comes in response to an ambush involving the technicians in gang-dominated areas east of Port-au-Prince.
President Nayib Bukele spoke with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime regarding the operation and El Salvador’s ongoing mission in Haiti. In a statement, Bukele highlighted the decisive nature of the rescue efforts, reaffirming his country’s commitment to assisting Haiti in its battle against gang violence.
The Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to the Haitian authorities and local security forces for their support during this challenging situation. The disappearance of the technicians occurred last week amid a backdrop of increasing violence and instability in Haiti, which has been exacerbated by years of gang activity and political unrest, particularly following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
As the situation develops, El Salvador’s commitment to aiding Haiti represents a broader effort to stabilize the region and address severe social issues stemming from gang violence.
