El Salvador Deploys Forces to Haiti to Rescue Abducted Soldiers
Source reports published 22 Oct 2026, 9:13 am – 23 Oct 2026, 1:44 pm AEST
El Salvador deployed 100 special forces to Haiti following the abduction of four Salvadoran soldiers. President Bukele issued a direct ultimatum to Haitian gang leaders, demanding the safe return of the missing personnel.
What happened
- On Thursday, El Salvador deployed 100 special forces soldiers to Haiti.
- This deployment followed the abduction of four members of El Salvador’s military, who were part of a United Nations-backed gang suppression force, on Sunday.
- According to a spokesperson for the Associated Press, the soldiers were ambushed and abducted after shopping for food.
- Salvadorean President Nayib Bukele announced the operation in Creole on Wednesday, stating his objective was to return the four compatriots home safely, without harm.
- He further declared that El Salvador had finished dealing with gangs within its own borders and could similarly address the situation in Haiti.
- The soldiers were initially part of a force assisting in gang suppression operations within Haiti.