El Salvador’s Military Supports Haiti’s Effort Against Gangs

El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, announced that the country’s military participated in an air assault on one of Haiti’s major criminal gangs. The attack targeted the headquarters of 400 Mawozo, a gang involved in kidnappings, weapons trafficking, and extortion. The airstrikes, conducted with the help of Salvadoran troops, also aimed at the residence of the gang leader, Lanmò San Jou, near Port-au-Prince.

The operation seems to be a response to a previous incident where four Salvadoran members of a U.N. security mission were kidnapped during a gang ambush on October 18. President Bukele stated that the operation fulfilled their promise to combat the gangs.

Videos showed helicopters attacking multiple complexes, resulting in dozens of individuals fleeing on foot and motorbikes. Bukele commented on the event, calling the group’s retreat cowardly. Reports suggest that around twenty individuals may have been killed during the operation, although these numbers are based on anonymous sources.

The Miami Herald reported that following an ambush on October 18, a burnt armored vehicle was recovered with no trace of the missing Salvadoran personnel, leading to a significant deployment of Salvadoran troops to assist in the search.

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed gratitude to President Bukele for his involvement in tackling the gang crisis in Haiti. He acknowledged the efforts of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and the Haitian National Police alongside their international allies. The Prime Minister emphasized the joint determination to combat the gang influence.

The issue of the missing Salvadoran personnel has become a priority for Bukele, who warned Haitian gang leaders of the consequences should harm befall the missing men. El Salvador remains committed to assisting Haiti in restoring state control over gang-influenced areas.