El Salvador Aids Haiti in Assault on Powerful Gang

El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, announced a significant military operation against a notorious criminal gang in Haiti. Reports from The Miami Herald indicate that the assault targeted the 400 Mawozo gang’s strongholds near Port-au-Prince, including the residence of its leader, Lanmò San Jou.

The operation took place on Sunday, involving a Haitian police task force supported by Salvadoran troops. This effort is part of a wider military campaign following the abduction of four Salvadoran UN-backed security personnel on October 18.

We kept our promise, Bukele stated on social media platform X.

Video evidence captures helicopters launching airstrikes on multiple gang compounds. These strikes led to numerous individuals fleeing on foot and motorbikes.

Bukele remarked that many gang members chose to run instead of resist, calling them cowards. The Miami Herald, citing unnamed sources, suggests that up to 20 individuals may have died due to the operation.

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed gratitude for El Salvador’s commitment to addressing Haiti’s prolonged gang crises. He commended the collaborative efforts of the U.N.-backed Gang Suppression Force, Haitian National Police, Haitian Armed Forces, and international partners.

I salute the commitment of the Salvadoran forces in the fight against gangs, stated Fils-Aimé.

Following the disappearance of the Salvadoran personnel, a charred armored vehicle was found, prompting El Salvador to deploy thousands of troops to aid in the search. Although Salvadoran authorities suspect the abductees are alive, a gang leader claimed otherwise.

Bukele has made the recovery of the missing men a top priority and has warned that El Salvador is ready to exercise force to ensure their return.