29.10.2026 15:35
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele called for the safe release of four Salvadoran aviation technicians who were reportedly kidnapped by armed gangs in Haiti. While it was reported that approximately 1,000 soldiers had been dispatched to Haiti, Bukele threatened that they would retaliate severely against the gangs. Wilson Joseph, leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, rejected the claim that they were holding the technicians hostage and said they were ready to clash with Salvadoran forces.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele demanded the safe return of 4 Salvadoran military technicians who went missing after an attack by armed gangs in Haiti. Issuing a harsh warning to the gangs, Bukele said, "If you do not return all four hostages alive, what happened today will be nothing compared to what will happen to you." It was reported that El Salvador has deployed approximately 1,000 soldiers to Haiti.
4 SALVADORAN MILITARY TECHNICIANS MISSING
The incident occurred on October 18 in the Croix-des-Bouquets area near Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.
Members of an armed gang attacked an armored vehicle carrying Salvadoran personnel serving in the international security force. In the attack, in which weapons and explosives were used, the vehicle caught fire while 4 Salvadoran aviation technicians got out of the vehicle and moved away from the area.
However, contact with the technicians was lost after the attack. While it is assessed that the four people were kidnapped by armed gangs, their fate has not yet been clarified.
DIRECT THREAT FROM BUKELE TO GANGS
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele announced that a military operation had been launched to rescue the missing personnel.
Addressing gang leaders, Bukele stated that the kidnapped people were not in Haiti for combat purposes and used the following statements:
"Our kidnapped men are not fighters. Their main mission is to carry out medical evacuation and save lives."
Bukele continued his warning to the gangs with the following words:
"Today's attack will be nothing compared to what will happen to you if you do not return all four hostages alive. Do not see our words as empty threats. We have already finished off the gangs in El Salvador; we can finish you off too."
APPROXIMATELY 1,000 SOLDIERS DEPLOYED TO HAITI
After Bukele's statements, it was reported that El Salvador had increased its military deployment to Haiti.
According to information provided by a security official in Haiti, approximately 1,000 Salvadoran soldiers were sent to the country through deployments carried out in recent days.
It was learned that some of the soldiers were transported by US C-130 military transport aircraft.
It has not yet been announced under whose command the newly sent troops will serve and how long they will remain in Haiti.
RESPONSE TO BUKELE FROM GANG LEADER
Wilson Joseph, leader of the 400 Mawozo gang operating in Haiti, also responded to Bukele's statements through videos he published.
Joseph denied claims that he was holding Salvadoran personnel hostage, while stating that he was ready to clash with Salvadoran forces.
Meanwhile, no armed group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
1.5 MILLION PEOPLE DISPLACED IN HAITI
The security crisis is deepening in Haiti, which has long been struggling with the activities of armed gangs.
Due to attacks by gangs controlling large areas in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, approximately 1.5 million people have been forced to leave their homes.
The United Nations-backed international security force, meanwhile, continues its activities in the country to support the Haitian police in their fight against gangs.