El Salvador to send more than 2,000 soldiers to Haiti to rescue missing personnel

El Salvador will deploy more than 2,000 soldiers to Haiti as part of an operation to rescue four military aviation technicians, the country’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, according to Anadolu Agency.

President Nayib Bukele discussed the operation and the continued presence of El Salvador’s mission in Haiti during a phone call with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, the ministry said in a statement.

Bukele stressed the forceful nature of the rescue operation and reaffirmed El Salvador’s willingness to continue supporting efforts to combat gangs in Haiti, according to the statement.

The Salvadoran president also thanked the Haitian population and authorities, including local security forces, for their support and cooperation.

The four military aviation technicians went missing last week after an ambush in gang-controlled areas east of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.

Haiti has faced years of gang violence and political turmoil, which escalated after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.