Breaking News: El Salvador’s military aided a strike against a major Haitian gang linked to kidnappings and extortion.
El Salvador’s armed forces participated in an air assault on the headquarters of the 400 Mawozo gang in Haiti on Sunday, targeting the group’s stronghold near Port-au-Prince and the home of its leader, Lanmò San Jou. The operation was undertaken in support of a Haitian police task force, according to President Nayib Bukele.
The strikes were launched in response to the abduction of four Salvadoran UN-backed security personnel on October 18th, and aimed at disrupting the gang’s activities, which include kidnappings, weapons trafficking and extortion. Videos released by Bukele showed helicopters conducting airstrikes against multiple compounds, with individuals fleeing the area. As many as 20 gang members are believed to have been killed, according to the Miami Herald, citing anonymous sources. Bukele stated, “Most of them ran away without even trying to fight. What cowards!” He added that the operation fulfilled a promise to address the gang crisis. The assault targeted areas believed to be used for criminal operations, and occurred after the recovery of a burned vehicle linked to the missing Salvadoran personnel.
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé praised Bukele’s commitment to tackling Haiti’s gang crisis and restoring state control, acknowledging the efforts of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF). Fils-Aimé declared on social media, “Hats off to President Nayib Bukele…Haiti, El Salvador, GSF: same fight, same determination!”
El Salvador deployed additional troops to Haiti to assist in the search for the missing UN personnel and has warned Haitian gang leaders of a forceful response if they are not returned alive. Further operations are anticipated as the search continues.
Sources: Fox News, The Miami Herald.
