El Salvador Deploys Forces to Find Missing Troops in Haiti

WHO:

The Washington Post - Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele ordered the deployment of at least 200 special forces troops to Haiti to help search for four missing Salvadoran soldiers, according to an individual with knowledge of the deployment.

Miami Herald - The four missing Salvadoran soldiers are aviation technicians serving as part of El Salvador’s aerial support in Haiti.

Miami Herald - The Salvadoran troops are joining the U.N.-authorized Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which includes forces from El Salvador and other countries.

Miami Herald - Jake Johnston, an international researcher at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, first reported the flights.

Miami Herald - Diego Da Rin is a Haiti analyst for the International Crisis Group; Romain Le Cour Grandmaison directs the Haiti and Caribbean Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Miami Herald - The Armed Forces of El Salvador said the soldiers escaped their vehicle after gunmen fired on it and set it ablaze with an explosive device.

Miami Herald - Chen Mechan gang members ambushed the soldiers; members of 400 Mawozo later joined them. The 400 Mawozo gang is part of the Viv Ansanm coalition.

Miami Herald - U.S. Southern Command confirmed that a U.S. military aircraft provided logistical support. Its spokesperson referred further questions to the State Department, which did not respond to the Herald’s requests.

WHAT:

The Washington Post - Bukele threatened to escalate attacks against Haiti’s heavily armed gangs if the missing soldiers were not returned alive.

Miami Herald - Three flights carrying Salvadoran military personnel landed in Haiti; one was a U.S. C-130 military transport provided by the Pentagon at the State Department’s request. Two U.S. government flights also arrived.

Miami Herald - The initial 100 Salvadoran special forces troops were followed by an expected additional deployment of 100, bringing the reported total to 200.

Miami Herald - At least three helicopter and ground-force rescue operations have failed to locate the missing soldiers. The troops are part of an infantry company.

Miami Herald - Bukele said on X that his critics would change their views if God granted victory, and described the mission as entrusted to God. He quoted Deuteronomy: “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you; they will march out against you in one direction but flee from you in seven directions.”

Miami Herald - Da Rin said a reported explosive-drone attack targeted a compound belonging to 400 Mawozo leader Lanmò San Jou. He said finding the soldiers could be “like looking for a needle in a haystack” unless gangs handed them over.

Miami Herald - Guterres’ office reported that more than 7,000 people fled Petit Rivière and another 3,000 fled Arcahaie amid armed violence.

WHERE:

The Washington Post - The search and deployment are in Haiti.

Miami Herald - The Salvadoran soldiers were attacked while returning to camp from a supermarket in Santo, in the Croix-des-Bouquet area of Haiti’s capital. Their white armored Toyota Land Cruiser was attacked.

Miami Herald - Flights arrived at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince; the two U.S. flights originated at Washington Dulles International Airport.

WHY:

The Washington Post - The deployment was intended to find four missing Salvadoran soldiers and secure their return alive.

Miami Herald - El Salvador sent special-operations troops in response to the gang ambush and to assist the GSF’s search for the missing soldiers.

HOW:

Miami Herald - The Salvadoran force is participating in rescue operations using helicopters and ground forces; the missing men were reportedly taken hostage, though the incident remains under investigation.

Miami Herald - The U.S. supports the GSF and is among seven countries providing strategic direction and oversight; Washington also helps determine participating countries and coordinate deployments.

Miami Herald - Le Cour Grandmaison said parallel national deployments could overlap with multilateral frameworks, raising coordination, accountability, and rules-of-engagement concerns.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 10:00 UTC)

El Salvador has sent at least 200 special forces troops to Haiti to search for four missing Salvadoran soldiers and secure their return alive. The men, aviation technicians serving with El Salvador’s aerial support, disappeared after gangs ambushed their vehicle in the Croix-des-Bouquets area. El Salvador’s military said the soldiers escaped as gunmen set the vehicle ablaze with an explosive device. The attack is attributed to members of the Chen Mechan gang, later joined by 400 Mawozo. The troops have joined the U.N.-authorized Gang Suppression Force, with U.S. aircraft providing logistical support for the deployment. At least three helicopter and ground searches have failed to find the missing men, who are reportedly being held hostage. President Nayib Bukele warned he could escalate attacks on Haiti’s gangs if the soldiers are not returned alive. Meanwhile, armed violence has driven thousands from their homes in two Haitian communities.