Following his success in eradicating powerful gangs in El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele has escalated his involvement in Haiti, deploying 2,000 troops after four Salvadoran aviation technicians vanished following an ambush near Port-au-Prince. Bukele directly addressed Haiti’s criminal elements, vowing, “We have already finished with the gangs in El Salvador, and we can finish with you too,” emphasizing that the mission’s sole objective is the safe return of the abducted technicians. The disappearance has galvanized Bukele, who has warned Haitian gang leaders of overwhelming force if the men are not returned alive. The technicians, part of a UN-backed Gang Suppression Force, were ambushed in Croix-des-Bouquets, with their armored vehicle later found burned, though no sign of the missing men was discovered. While El Salvador claims abduction, the Haitian government reports them missing, and some gang leaders assert they are dead. Bukele invoked the historical betrayal of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haiti’s founding father, to draw a parallel to present-day traitors. He also shared footage of his forces repelling gang attacks, highlighting El Salvador’s military capability. Notably, Bukele’s deployment has the backing of Haiti’s transitional government, with Prime Minister Didier Fils-Aimé stating the international force is there to support, not replace, the state. This intervention, however, draws criticism from human rights advocates and gang leaders who fear an escalation of violence and civilian suffering, with the UN warning El Salvador to adhere to international law. Wilson Joseph, a prominent gang leader, accused rival gangs of the ambush and pleaded with the UN for mediation, cautioning that Bukele’s threats will lead to a cycle of reprisals. Bukele, dismissing such appeals, accused gang leaders of using civilians and human rights concerns as a shield, asserting that negotiations have only prolonged Haiti’s crisis. El Salvador’s previous crackdown, which saw tens of thousands arrested under a state of emergency, drastically reduced homicide rates, though it also faced accusations of human rights abuses. The core question now is whether Bukele’s aggressive model can be replicated in Haiti, a nation struggling with pervasive gang control and deteriorating security despite years of international efforts.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
