Missing Salvadoran soldiers in Haiti: Bukele threatens gangs after ambush
Four Salvadoran military personnel were ambushed at Croix-des-Bouquets on 18 October. Their fate remains unknown, whilst President Bukele has issued an ultimatum to gangs.
Four Salvadoran military personnel reported missing after attack near Port-au-Prince
According to bbc.com, four Salvadoran military technicians were attacked on 18 October at midday in the Santo neighbourhood of Croix-des-Bouquets, a locality north of Port-au-Prince controlled by armed gangs. The soldiers, members of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a multinational coalition deployed in Haiti to combat violence, had their armoured vehicle targeted by gunfire and explosives, forcing them to flee.
The Armed Forces of El Salvador (FAES) indicated that military personnel from other nationalities had attempted to assist their counterparts without success. "Multiple approach attempts by land and air routes were made, but they were hindered by the intensity of clashes and security conditions in the area," FAES stated. More than a week after the incident, the location of the four Salvadorans and their state of health remain unknown.
Bukele issues ultimatum to criminal groups
Faced with this situation, President Nayib Bukele described the soldiers as "hostages" in the hands of gangs that control almost the entire Haitian capital and its surroundings. He coupled this statement with an ultimatum: the criminal groups were to return the military personnel alive, or face a large-scale military operation. "We have already eliminated gangs in El Salvador, and we can also eliminate you," he warned.
A contingent of special forces was dispatched from El Salvador to reinforce search and rescue operations being conducted by the multinational mission. These efforts have, at this stage, yielded no concrete results.
Charred remains discovered, unanswered questions
In an article published Saturday, the New York Times reported that charred remains found on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince could be those of the Salvadoran military personnel. The American newspaper noted, however, that analyses would be necessary to establish their identity, given their condition. It cited four sources, including the humanitarian organisation Hero Client Rescue, which was allegedly "engaged to recover the bodies".
Bukele responded quickly on social media network X, denying that these were his soldiers. "These are not our men. An NGO handed over human remains to the airport, claiming they belonged to our four aeronautical technicians," he wrote. He added that the remains corresponded to "a child, a man whose height is significantly greater than that of our aeronautical technicians and a person wearing part of the uniform of an army that is not ours".
Gang leader claims soldiers are dead
In a video published the following Sunday and addressed directly to Bukele, the gang leader known as Lanmò San Jou—a Creole expression meaning "Death does not know the day it will come"—claimed that the four Salvadorans were deceased. He presented their death as the consequence of "an error", which occurred after they entered territory controlled by a neighbouring gang, whose armed men allegedly opened fire.
BBC Mundo stated it had not been able to verify this video independently. The Salvadoran presidency, when contacted by the editorial team, had not yet provided a response at the time of publication.
Which gang is involved?
According to Da Rin, analyst specialising in Haiti at the International Crisis Group, the Santo zone where the attack occurred is under the control of Chen Mechan, but the powerful 400 Mawozo gang also operates in the area. "The Salvadorans may have been handed over to this gang, which has greater combat capabilities," he said.
The GSF, meanwhile, chose to exercise caution. In a statement published shortly after Bukele's message, the international force indicated it was "not in a position to confirm that these remains corresponded to the missing personnel". It reaffirmed its commitment to remain "firm and determined" in its mission and undertook to communicate further information as soon as it became available.
A crisis with international repercussions
Romain Le Cour, director of the Haiti Observatory within the organisation Global Initiative (GI-TOC), emphasised the exceptional scope of the incident. "This is the first time in years that a security incident in Haiti has and will continue to have international repercussions of such magnitude," he told BBC Mundo.
The matter highlights the risks to which multinational forces deployed in a country are exposed, where armed gangs control large portions of territory, notably in the capital and its surroundings. The identity of the four Salvadoran soldiers has not been made public by the authorities.
Source: Google News HT — Crime