30.10.2026 07:40
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele announced that the deployment of more than 2,000 soldiers sent to Haiti is nearing completion. Arguing that the operation is not an occupation, Bukele stated that their aim is to bring back 4 missing aviation technicians and to support the fight against armed gangs. Saying that their country covers 90 percent of the expenses, Bukele said, "There is no price for justice and peace."
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele announced that the deployment of more than 2,000 soldiers sent to Haiti is nearing completion. Emphasizing that the operation is not an invasion, Bukele said their aim is to rescue 4 aviation technicians who went missing after an attack by armed gangs. Stating that their country is covering 90 percent of the operation's cost, Bukele said, "Justice and peace have no price."
MORE THAN 2,000 SOLDIERS SENT TO HAITI
As the fight against armed gangs continues in the Caribbean country of Haiti, the El Salvador government sent more than 2,000 soldiers to the country to find 4 missing military aviation technicians.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele announced in a statement on October 29 that the deployment of soldiers and military equipment to Haiti is almost complete. It was reported that special forces personnel were also sent to Haiti as part of the operation carried out around the capital, Port-au-Prince.
"THIS IS NOT AN INVASION"
Addressing the Haitian people in Haitian Creole, one of the country's official languages, Bukele made statements regarding the purpose of the military operation. Arguing that El Salvador has no goal of seizing Haitian territory or confiscating the country's resources, Bukele said, "This is not an operation against the Haitian people or an occupation of Haiti. We are not a great power. We have no intention of ruling over the Haitian people or seizing the country's wealth."
THEY WANT TO RESCUE 4 TECHNICIANS
Four military aviation technicians affiliated with El Salvador went missing on October 18 after an attack by armed gangs near Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. It was stated that the technicians, serving within the United Nations-supported international anti-gang force, had not been heard from after leaving the vehicle that caught fire during the attack.
Bukele said the operation's priority objective is to bring the missing personnel back to their country safe and sound. Also touching on the fight against armed gangs, Bukele stated that the Haitian people have suffered greatly due to violence for many years.
THEY ARE COVERING 90 PERCENT OF THE OPERATION'S COST
Also speaking about the economic dimension of the military operation, Bukele announced that they received limited logistical support from some countries, but El Salvador is bearing most of the expenses. Without sharing the total cost of the operation, Bukele stated that 90 percent of the expenditures are covered by his country's budget. Bukele said, "This is costing us dearly, but we have learned from our own suffering that justice and peace have no price."
"WE WILL RETURN HOME WHEN OUR MISSION IS OVER"
Asking the Haitian people to trust them, Bukele recalled the gang violence El Salvador experienced in the past and argued that the two countries face similar problems. Emphasizing that their military presence is not permanent, Bukele said the troops will return to their country when the mission is complete.
On the other hand, the deployment of thousands of soldiers has also raised questions about the scope of the operation and under which command structure the soldiers are serving.