World · Latin America · 3 hrs ago
Bukele says El Salvador launched operation to rescue four abducted in Haiti
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele says he has launched an operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians abducted in Haiti.
The men went missing after gangs opened fire on their armoured vehicle in Croix-des-Bouquets, in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The four were serving with a UN-backed international force that supports efforts to suppress gangs in Haiti.
Bukele warned gangs of a stronger response if the men are not released alive and unharmed, but he did not explain who would carry out further action.
Haiti’s government says securing their release is an absolute priority and is working with the international force, but officials have not confirmed whether the men are alive.
Gangs control an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince, while violence has displaced nearly 1.5 million people across Haiti.
The force is still operating in the area, and it is not yet clear what further steps El Salvador or the Haitian authorities will take.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said he had launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians abducted in Haiti.
The men, members of the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force, have been missing since fleeing a burning armored vehicle in Port-au-Prince.
Bukele warned Haitian gangs of a more forceful response if the four are not released alive and unharmed.
Haiti’s government called their release an absolute priority and said it was mobilizing resources and working with the force.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and Haitian authorities had not confirmed whether the men were alive.
- Who
- El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele announced the operation. Four Salvadoran aviation technicians are missing.
- What
- Bukele said El Salvador had launched a military operation to rescue the four men, who were abducted by gangs.
- When
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- The Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
- Why
- The four men went missing after fleeing an armored vehicle that gangs had set on fire.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gangs opened fire on an armored vehicle carrying the four Salvadoran technicians in Port-au-Prince.
Bukele announced a military operation to rescue the four men and warned of a stronger response if they were not released alive and unharmed.
Haiti’s government said the men’s release was an absolute priority and that it was coordinating with the Gang Repression Force.
- Missing personnel
- 4 Salvadoran aviation technicians
- Location
- Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, Port-au-Prince
- Force
- United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force
- Force personnel in Haiti
- More than 2,000 troops
- Gang control in Port-au-Prince
- Estimated 70%
3 sources
What people are saying
Today's attack is nothing compared to what is coming if they do not release the four hostages alive. And do not take our words as empty threats.
We have already finished with the gangs in El Salvador, and we can finish with you too.
The release of the abducted soldiers is an absolute priority, and all necessary resources are being mobilized to achieve this goal.