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El Salvador launches military operation to rescue four abducted technicians in Haiti
El Salvador has initiated a military operation in Haiti to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians who were abducted following an ambush on Sunday, October 18. The personnel, part of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), were traveling in an armored vehicle in the Santo area of the Croix-des-Bouquets commune near Port-au-Prince when they were attacked with firearms and explosives. The vehicle caught fire, and contact with the technicians was lost after they fled the scene.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele issued an ultimatum to the criminal groups responsible, warning that the current operations are only a precursor to more intense actions if the hostages are not released alive. Bukele emphasized that the missing individuals are non-combatants dedicated to medical evacuations and humanitarian support.
The Haitian government has declared the release of the soldiers an “absolute priority,” holding high-level meetings to coordinate rescue efforts with the Gang Repression Force. Meanwhile, the Gang Suppression Force reported that recent combat operations in the area, supported by helicopters, have resulted in several gang members being killed and four GSF personnel being wounded.
In the Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Defense has ruled out closing the border despite the escalating violence in neighboring Haiti, stating that commercial and social activities will continue normally while military surveillance is reinforced.
Entities
400 Mawozo · Croix-des-Bouquets · El Salvador · Gang Suppression Force · Haiti · Nayib Bukele · Port-au-Prince · United Nations · United Nations Security Council
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 19 SOURCES] The Gang Suppression Force (GSF) killed several gang members during combat operations. www.dominicanoshoy.com · lajornadanet.com · www.bbc.com · diarionorterd.com · hatodamasnoticias.com.do
- [● 15 SOURCES] Four GSF personnel were wounded during the search operation. www.dominicanoshoy.com · lajornadanet.com · hatodamasnoticias.com.do
- [● 34 SOURCES] The ambush occurred in the Santo area of the Croix-des-Bouquets commune. www.dominicanoshoy.com · lajornadanet.com · www.bbc.com · www.eldiariodehoy.com · www.arabnews.pk · +6 more
- [● 37 SOURCES] Four Salvadoran military members are missing following an ambush on Sunday. www.dominicanoshoy.com · lajornadanet.com · www.arabnews.pk · www.bbc.com · www.eldiariodehoy.com · +6 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] The GSF is utilizing helicopters to support ground operations. www.dominicanoshoy.com · lajornadanet.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] The GSF was established by the UN Security Council to combat gangs in Haiti. www.arabnews.pk · www.bbc.com
- [● 13 SOURCES] The ambush involved the use of firearms and explosives. www.arabnews.pk · diaadianews.com · hatodamasnoticias.com.do · azuanoticias.com · elinformante.com.do
- [● 20 SOURCES] The four missing Salvadorans are aviation technicians, not combatants. www.arabnews.pk · www.bbc.com · www.diarioextra.com · www.eldiariodehoy.com · diaadianews.com · +2 more