El Salvador Deploys Special Forces to Haiti to Find Missing Personnel

El Salvador deployed 100 special forces personnel to Haiti on Thursday to help locate four Salvadoran aviation technicians who went missing after a gang attack. Another 100 personnel were expected to arrive that night, according to the Associated Press (AP).

The deployment follows President Nayib Bukele’s announcement on Wednesday that El Salvador had launched a military operation to rescue the four men.

Bukele did not disclose further details, other than it was a “military operation” to rescue the missing technicians.

Bukele Warns Haiti Gangs After Four Salvadoran Aviation Technicians Go Missing

The International Gang Suppression Force confirmed that a Salvadoran contingent had arrived to support search and security operations. A Salvadoran government official reportedly told the AP that authorities believe the four missing men are still alive.

The search is continuing amid fighting in gang-controlled territory. No group has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, and the whereabouts and condition of the four technicians remain unknown.

The technicians were serving with the United Nations-backed security force, which supports Haitian police in efforts to combat armed gangs. The force had more than 2,000 personnel deployed, below its planned strength of 5,500, according to the AP.