El Salvador plans to send more than 2,000 soldiers to Haiti to help find four missing Salvadoran aviation technicians and support operations against armed gangs.
El Salvador’s Foreign Ministry said other countries and international organizations would support the expanded operation. President Nayib Bukele discussed the mission by phone with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The technicians were serving with the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force when they disappeared on October 18.
The force supports Haitian police. Their vehicle was attacked by surprise in Croix-des-Bouquets, east of Port-au-Prince. Their location remains unknown.
The force has been searching around Plaine du Cul-de-Sac. It has not confirmed reports that recovered bodies belong to the missing men. El Salvador has already sent personnel to Haiti.
It remains unclear how the additional troops will be organized or how long they will stay. It is also unclear whether they will serve as part of the international force. The deployment announcement came as Haiti’s electoral council postponed presidential and parliamentary elections.
The council rescheduled the first round for July 18, 2027. The vote has been delayed because insecurity and gang violence continue.