El Salvador’s president threatens Haitian gangs over military hostages
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele says he has launched a military operation to bring home four air force personnel missing in Haiti. He warned Haitian gangs that Wednesday’s attack would be “nothing” compared with what could follow if the men were not returned alive, while saying the mission’s sole aim was to rescue them.
The four were ambushed in Croix-des-Bouquets, an area controlled by armed groups, while returning to their camp in an armoured vehicle that caught fire after an explosives strike. They were part of the UN-approved Gang Suppression Force and, according to Bukele, were pilots and technical staff who supported medical evacuations. No gang has claimed responsibility; Salvadoran helicopters have assisted, but fighting has hampered rescue attempts. The UN says gangs are expanding into rural areas, while they control about 85% of Port-au-Prince; more than 5,500 people were killed in gang-related violence in Haiti in 2024.
In short
- El Salvador says it has begun an operation to rescue four missing air force personnel in Haiti.
- The men were ambushed while serving with a UN-approved security force.
- Bukele threatened a response if they are not returned alive.