PORT-AU-PRINCE — In a series of demonstrations across Haiti, hundreds of residents have expressed their support for El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and urged him to take action against gangs that have taken control of their communities. Protesters gathered in Port-au-Prince, Belladère, and Jérémie, chanting “Debloke peyi a” or “Unlock the country,” as they called for Salvadoran military assistance to reclaim areas plagued by armed violence.
Demonstrators in Canapé-Vert, a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, voiced criticism of the Haitian government for its lack of support for the Haitian National Police and Armed Forces. Many expressed frustration and a sense of abandonment by local authorities, stating they have lost confidence in Haiti’s ability to ensure their safety. Some called for Bukele and the recently deployed Salvadoran troops to intervene directly in neighborhoods affected by gang activity.
“We have reached our breaking point with these gangs. Long live Nayib Bukele,” one protester stated while holding tree branches. Another urged Bukele to assist communities overrun by gangs, naming specific areas like Furcy and Kenscoff. Protesters waved signs bearing slogans such as “We are Bukele” and chanted phrases praising the Salvadoran leader and his military.
Samuel Joasil, a police officer leading a local self-defense group, explained that the deep-seated lack of faith in Haiti’s security institutions has led residents to welcome foreign assistance. “The administration has weakened all the institutions that have power, such as the police and the army,” he said. “Now we feel vulnerable. So if a foreign force comes to support us, I am ready to stand with it and support it in any way I can.”
Salvadoran Deployment Fuels Public Hopes
President Bukele’s deployment of over 2,000 Salvadoran soldiers follows the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians who were reportedly ambushed while in Haiti. His administration has indicated that significant military operations will be conducted should the technicians not be released unharmed. This military presence has sparked hope among Haitians that neighboring forces can help restore order and security.
Similar demonstrations in Belladère and Jérémie further emphasized community support for Bukele and the Salvadoran troops, with residents urging swift action against armed groups. The rallies have highlighted the desperation felt by many as gang violence disrupts their lives, limiting their movement and taking away their homes and livelihoods.
Bukele’s influence in Haiti has notably increased through social media, where videos and messages about the Salvadoran deployment have been widely circulated. His name has become synonymous with the hope for tangible action against gangs, particularly in areas with high levels of violence like Croix-des-Bouquets.
