Wilson Joseph, the leader of Haiti’s 400 Mawozo gang, has asked the United Nations to provide mediators for talks with international forces as El Salvador deploys troops to search for four missing personnel and fighting intensifies.
In a letter dated Nov. 1 and addressed to Secretary-General António Guterres, Joseph called for dialogue and said he was willing to negotiate. He is also known by the name Lanmò Sanjou. Joseph said he had expressed a willingness to pursue peace in August.
He warned that the Salvadoran operation could increase violence and put Haitian civilians at greater risk. El Salvador sent more than 2,000 troops after four Salvadoran aviation technicians went missing. The technicians were serving with the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force.
They went missing in an Oct. 18 attack near Port-au-Prince. Their fate remains disputed. Haitian authorities say they are missing.
El Salvador believes they are alive. Joseph has claimed they are dead but has provided no evidence. The UN confirmed receiving a letter bearing Joseph’s signature.
It said receiving the letter did not mean it endorsed the contents, recognized the author or took a position on his request. It also said most of the newly deployed Salvadoran troops are outside the UN-backed force. The appeal comes despite 400 Mawozo’s history of kidnappings.
The gang abducted 17 missionaries in 2021. The United States is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Joseph’s arrest.