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El Salvador's President Orders Military Operation to Rescue Hostages
Confirmed
In Short: El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran members of an international UN-backed security force abducted by Haitian gangs.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele on Wednesday announced a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran members of an international UN-backed security force who were abducted by Haitian gangs.
The four Salvadorans were reported missing on Sunday after they leapt from a burning armored vehicle that was ambushed by armed gangs on the outskirts of Haiti's capital while returning from a market to their base.
Bukele emphasized that the Salvadoran mission consists only of pilots and technical personnel, whose primary job is to carry out medical evacuations and save lives, not to wage war.
Security officials said intense fighting in the area had limited access, making it difficult for the Gang Suppression Force to recover the missing Salvadorans.
Several nations, including Chad and Sri Lanka, have deployed soldiers as part of the Gang Suppression Force, which has had limited impact on Haiti’s security since its mandate began a year ago.
Haitian gangs have expanded their influence over the capital and surrounding regions over recent years, capitalizing on a longstanding political vacuum, widespread extortion, and a flow of illegal arms largely from the US.
The Gang Suppression Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ongoing operation.
What's confirmed
- El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele on Wednesday announced a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran members of an international UN-backed security force who were abducted by Haitian gangs.
- The four Salvadorans were reported missing on Sunday after they leapt from a burning armored vehicle that was ambushed by armed gangs on the outskirts of Haiti's capital while returning from a market to their base.
- Bukele emphasized that the Salvadoran mission consists only of pilots and technical personnel, whose primary job is to carry out medical evacuations and save lives, not to wage war.
- Security officials said intense fighting in the area had limited access, making it difficult for the Gang Suppression Force to recover the missing Salvadorans.
- Several nations, including Chad and Sri Lanka, have deployed soldiers as part of the Gang Suppression Force, which has had limited impact on Haiti’s security since its mandate began a year ago.
- Haitian gangs have expanded their influence over the capital and surrounding regions over recent years, capitalizing on a longstanding political vacuum, widespread extortion, and a flow of illegal arms largely from the US.
- The Gang Suppression Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ongoing operation.
What's still developing
- “Today, we have launched a military operation to rescue them,” Bukele said, without providing further details about the operation or identifying the group holding the Salvadorans hostage.
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