Haitian forces retook Port-au-Prince’s Sylvio Cator Stadium from gangs on Thursday, Nov. 12, as Salvadoran troops took over security there and planned to use it as a base for further operations.
Haiti’s National Police said its officers and a government security unit called the Task Force regained control of the stadium and the surrounding area. Salvadoran special forces also took part in the operation, according to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and Haitian news reports. The stadium is Haiti’s main football venue.
Gangs had controlled it for about two years, forcing the national team to play its home matches elsewhere. Police said Salvadoran soldiers took responsibility for guarding the complex after it was retaken. Bukele said the troops would set up a base for operations there.
He said the base would support operations in nearby neighborhoods held by gangs. Bukele also said security forces found human remains inside the stadium. The Haitian Times said it could not independently verify the claim.
The operation comes amid El Salvador’s expanded deployment in Haiti. The deployment followed the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians in an October ambush by gangs.