El Salvador launches military operation to rescue Haitian gang hostages
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 05:20 · Archive
El Salvador's president has launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by Haitian gangs.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced Wednesday that he had launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti. The technicians went missing on Sunday after gangs opened fire on an armoured vehicle in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, near Port-au-Prince. The men fled the burning vehicle after the attack, marking the first major incident against the international gang suppression force since it began operating in Haiti.
Bukele issued a stark ultimatum to the gang leaders, warning that if the men were not released alive and unharmed, a far more powerful operation would follow. He stated: 'Today's attack is nothing compared to what is coming if they do not release the four hostages alive. And do not take our words as empty threats.' He added that if the men were returned safely, 'everything will go back to the way it was before the kidnapping.'
Bukele stressed that El Salvador's mission in Haiti is strictly non-combat, emphasising that the Salvadoran contingent 'consists only of pilots and technical personnel — not to wage war.' Haiti's government responded Wednesday evening, saying the abduction of the technicians was an 'absolute priority' and that all necessary resources were being mobilised to achieve their release in close collaboration with the Gang Repression Force.
How it is being reported
- El Salvador launches military operation in Haiti to free four kidnapped aviation techniciansBukele warned that failure to free the men who have been missing since Sunday’s attack on an armoured vehicle would trigger a far more powerful operation.Euronews · 22 Oct, 05:10
- El Salvador launching military operation to rescue hostages held by Haitian gangs“Today’s attack is nothing compared to what is coming if they do not release the four hostages alive. And do not take our words as empty threats,” El Salvador president Nayib Bukele said.New York Post · 22 Oct, 01:22
In this story: Nayib Bukele · El Salvador · Haiti · Port-au-Prince · Croix-des-Bouquets
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