El Salvador’s Bukele threatens Haitian gangs over abducted soldiers

President Nayib Bukele says he has initiated military operation to rescue four Salvadoran soldiers abducted in Haiti. Save Share El Salvador has initiated a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran soldiers abducted by gangs in Haiti, PresidentNayib Bukeleannounced in a post on X, without elaborating. Bukele, known for his intensecrackdown on gang violencein El Salvador, warned in Wednesday’s statement that a more forceful response was coming if the personnel were not released alive and well. “Do not take our word for empty threats,” the president wrote, addressing the gangs allegedly responsible for holding the four men. “We have already finished with the gangs in El Salvador, and we can finish with you too.” Gangs in Haitiopened fire on an armoured vehiclecarrying the men three days earlier, in the first major attack since an international gang suppression force began operating in the violence-wracked Caribbean country last year. The four men, aviation technicians with theUnited Nations-backedGang Suppression Force (GSF), have been missing since they fled the burning vehicle in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, Port-au-Prince. Haiti’s government issued a news release on Wednesday evening saying the release of the abducted soldiers was an “absolute priority”. It was not immediately clear if Haitian authorities received any confirmation that the Salvadoran soldiers are alive. The government said a meeting was held at the prime minister’s office “to assess the ongoing interventions and determine the necessary measures to strengthen operations, in close collaboration with the Gang Repression Force”. A spokesperson for the GSF did not immediately respond to a message seeking details The UN-backed force is still fighting gangs in the community where Sunday’s attack occurred, warning residents in the area to remain indoors. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Salvadoran troops, which comes as Haiti prepares for its first general election in more than a decade. It also showcases the power of the gangs that control an estimated 70 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince. El Salvador is among several countries – including Chad, Jamaica and Guatemala – to form part of the gang suppression force, with more than 2,000 troops on the ground in Haiti. Gangviolencehasdisplacednearly 1.5 million people in Haiti in recent years....