El Salvador’s Bukele announces military operation to rescue hostages held by gangs in Haiti
The president said the missing technicians are noncombat personnel and warned gangs of a stronger response if the men are not released alive.
- On Wednesday, President Nayib Bukele announced a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran members of an international UN-backed security force held hostage by Haitian gangs, saying, "Today, we have launched a military operation to rescue them."
- The four Salvadorans went missing on Sunday after leaping from a burning armored vehicle ambushed by armed gangs on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, security officials said.
- Bukele clarified the missing men were aviation technicians, not combatants, stating, "Our mission consists only of pilots and technical personnel, whose primary job is to carry out medical evacuations and save lives, not to wage war."
- The Gang Suppression Force announced recovery efforts earlier this week, but intense fighting in the area has limited access to the site where the Salvadorans vanished.
- Haitian gangs have expanded influence amid a political vacuum, while the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force, including soldiers from Chad and Sri Lanka, has achieved limited security impact a year into its mandate.
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105 Articles
El Salvador forces storm Haiti to rescue hostages from gangs
El Salvadorian forces are in Haiti on the order of President Nayib Bukele following the abduction of nationals from the Central American country. Bukele announced a military operation on Wednesday, demanding that the gang leaders and members release the individuals immediately. "We have a single objective: to bring our four compatriots back home alive, without […] El Salvador forces storm Haiti to rescue hostages from gangs
On Sunday, the four aircraft technicians were attacked by armed men in their armoured vehicle when they returned from a market outside Port-au-Prince.
“And don’t take our words as empty threats. We’re done with the gangs in El Salvador, and we can end yours too. We still have time to avoid it. Give us back our four compatriots alive, without any harm, and everything will be like before the kidnapping. The decision is in your hands,” Bukele warned.
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