El Salvador has announced the deployment of over 2,000 soldiers to Haiti as part of an extensive operation aimed at locating and rescuing four Salvadoran military technicians who have been missing since an ambush earlier this month. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deployment on Wednesday, October 28, following discussions between President Nayib Bukele and Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
The personnel who went missing are members of El Salvador’s Gang Suppression Force (GSF). They disappeared on October 18 after an ambush in Santo, located approximately 12 kilometers from Port-au-Prince. The Haitian government has labeled the incident a kidnapping and has emphasized that finding the missing technicians is an absolute priority.
“El Salvador will proceed with the operational deployment of more than 2,000 soldiers to rescue the four Salvadoran technicians, as part of a large-scale operation supported by various countries and international organizations,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
During their conversation, Bukele and Fils-Aimé discussed not only the rescue operation but also the ongoing security mission that El Salvador is conducting in Haiti. Bukele underscored the significant resources being committed to the operation, reinforcing El Salvador’s dedication to assisting in the fight against gang violence and enhancing security in Haiti.
Fils-Aimé affirmed the commitment of both governments to enhance bilateral coordination and operational cooperation. This partnership aims to support search operations and tackle Haiti’s pressing security issues. The Haitian government has also expressed solidarity with the missing Salvadoran personnel and their families. It reiterated its determination to collaborate with international partners to restore security and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, reports from military flight trackers indicate that a Colombian Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft conducted an initial logistical support flight for this mission on October 27. The aircraft, with registration FAC1005, departed from San Salvador International Airport, landing in Port-au-Prince to transport personnel and equipment as part of the efforts to bolster El Salvador’s presence in Haiti.
