At least 100 members of El Salvador’s special forces have been deployed to Haiti to assist in the search for four Salvadoran soldiers who were abducted last week, following a statement from President Nayib Bukele. Bukele warned that those responsible for the abduction must release the soldiers immediately.
The contingent of special forces arrived in Haiti on Thursday as part of a military operation aimed at locating the missing soldiers. El Salvador is considering sending an additional 100 soldiers to Port-au-Prince in the coming days.
The four soldiers have been missing since October 18, when armed members of the Chèn Méchan and 400 Mawozo gangs ambushed an armored vehicle in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets. The soldiers were returning from a supermarket when the attackers opened fire with guns and explosives, causing them to flee before contact was lost. This area is known for gang activity, with armed groups controlling approximately 70% of the territory near Port-au-Prince.
President Bukele has demanded their immediate release, emphasizing that the soldiers were not engaged in combat operations at the time of their abduction. “Our team consists exclusively of pilots and technical personnel; their primary role is to carry out medical evacuations and save lives, not to wage war,” Bukele stated. He condemned the kidnapping as a cowardly act carried out while the soldiers were performing routine duties.
He reiterated that the military operation’s sole objective is to ensure the safe return of the soldiers. Bukele warned gang leaders of severe consequences should they refuse to release the men. “Do not mistake our words for empty threats. We have dealt with gangs in El Salvador before, and we are fully capable of doing the same with you,” he asserted. “Return our four compatriots to us, safe and sound, and everything will go back to the way it was before the abduction. The decision is in your hands.”
As of Sunday, the four soldiers had not been found or released. Meanwhile, the United Nations has reported a surge in armed violence across Haiti, leading to significant displacement. In the past four days alone, over 7,000 people have fled their homes in Petite-Rivière, and more than 3,000 others have been displaced in the commune of Arcahaie.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric noted that this latest wave of displacement contributes to an already dire humanitarian situation in Haiti. He reported that more than 17,000 people were displaced in the Artibonite department last month, with many seeking refuge with host families amid escalating insecurity. The UN is currently working with local authorities to monitor the situation and assess urgent needs, as humanitarian requirements continue to grow amidst the violence.
According to Dujarric, the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Haiti is currently only 49% funded, highlighting the need for increased financial support to address the unfolding crisis.
