Haitian and Salvadoran security forces have successfully regained control of Sylvio Cator Stadium in Port-au-Prince, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced on social media late Thursday, November 12. This operation is part of a broader effort to combat armed gangs that have taken over significant areas in the Haitian capital.
According to Bukele, the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), and Salvadoran special forces, under a bilateral agreement between the two governments. The mission aimed to reclaim critical infrastructure from gang control.
During the operation, security forces discovered human remains inside the stadium. However, independent verification of this claim and the full scope of the secured territory has not been possible as of now.
President Bukele also indicated plans to establish a military operations base at the stadium, which would serve as a launch point for future offensives into gang-dominated neighborhoods. “We will establish a base of operations at the stadium to advance from there into gang-controlled territories,” he stated. He further claimed, “We now have the advantage over the field.”
This development comes against the backdrop of an increasing Salvadoran military presence in Haiti following the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians during a gang attack last October. Their fate has added a complex layer to El Salvador’s involvement in Haiti’s security affairs.
In a dire warning to local gangs, Bukele advised members to vacate the area. “I advise all gang members to leave the area before the offensive begins. Those who choose to remain and fight our forces will have to assume the consequences,” he said.
This joint operation marks a significant step towards reclaiming territory from gangs that have long operated in Port-au-Prince, affecting government operations, key roadways, and residential areas. The situation remains dynamic, with updates expected as more information emerges.
