In a dramatic escalation of the fight against gang violence in Haiti, El Salvador’s military, under President Nayib Bukele’s directive, conducted a significant air assault targeting the heavily fortified headquarters of the notorious 400 Mawozo gang. This powerful operation, which included airstrikes on the gang’s compounds and the residence of its leader, Lanmò San Jou, near Port-au-Prince, was reportedly a retaliatory measure following the Oct. 18 abduction of four Salvadoran members of a U.N.-backed security mission. Videos released by Bukele showcase multiple helicopters unleashing volleys of fire, with dozens of individuals seen fleeing the targeted locations on foot and motorcycles. While initial reports suggest a significant number of casualties, with some sources estimating around twenty deaths, the operation underscores El Salvador’s commitment to combating transnational crime and its willingness to employ decisive force, a strategy Bukele has previously vowed to replicate against Haitian gangs. Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has publicly commended President Bukele and El Salvador’s forces for their support, emphasizing a shared determination in the battle against gangs and promising continued collaboration, stating, “The gangs will get no sleep!” This intervention highlights the deepening international involvement in Haiti’s complex security crisis, driven by the urgent need to recover the missing Salvadoran personnel and restore order amidst widespread gang control.
Adapted from: Latest & Breaking News on Fox News
