Against the world's violent criminals: Operation to free hostages in the Caribbean

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced a military operation to rescue four aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti. He issued an ultimatum to gang leaders, warning of a forceful response if the hostages are not returned alive.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced on Wednesday that he has launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti. The four men have been missing since Sunday, when gangs opened fire on an armored vehicle in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. The technicians fled the burning vehicle and have since disappeared. Bukele issued an unequivocal ultimatum to gang leaders, writing on X that "today's attack is nothing compared to what will happen if they do not release the four hostages alive." He added that if the men are returned safely, the situation will return to normal. Bukele emphasized that El Salvador's mission in Haiti is non-combat, and that the force consists of pilots and technical crew whose primary role is medical evacuations. El Salvador is one of several countries contributing to the multinational anti-gang force, which numbers over 2,000 security personnel.