Over 2,000 Salvadoran Soldiers Deployed to Haiti for Rescue Operation
On October 28, 2026, the Salvadoran government officially announced the deployment of more than 2,000 soldiers to Haiti. This mission is primarily aimed at rescuing four Salvadoran military technicians who went missing following an ambush on October 18, 2026, near Santo, approximately 12 kilometers from Port-au-Prince. The Haitian government has described the incident as a kidnapping and has prioritized locating the missing men.
In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Nayib Bukele confirmed that he had spoken with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé regarding the rescue operation and the presence of Salvadoran military forces in Haiti. “El Salvador will proceed with the operational deployment of more than two thousand soldiers as part of a large-scale operation,” the statement read, noting that the effort has support from various countries and international organizations.
Bukele highlighted the extensive nature of the operation to retrieve the technicians and reaffirmed El Salvador’s commitment to assisting in security initiatives against gang violence in Haiti. During their conversation, both leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral coordination and enhancing operational cooperation. This cooperation aims to bolster search operations and address ongoing security challenges in Haiti.
The Haitian government expressed solidarity with the families of the abducted technicians, reiterating its determination to collaborate with partners to restore security and stability. Haitian authorities affirmed their commitment to work within the framework of these efforts, maintaining respect for the sovereignty of the Haitian state.
As the Salvadoran mission began, military flight trackers indicated that a Colombian Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft conducted a logistical support flight on October 27, transporting personnel and equipment from El Salvador to the Haitian capital.
