Overview:
President Donald Trump reportedly backed Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s deployment of about 2,000 troops, with more expected to arrive, to Haiti to search for and rescue four missing aviation technicians. The Salvadoran mission’s terms, duration and relationship with the U.N.-backed Gang Suppression Force remain unclear. However, the Haitian government has reportedly described it as a “bilateral agreement.”
PORT-AU-PRINCE — The president of the United States, Donald Trump, has reportedly given Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele the go-ahead to deploy thousands of troops to Haiti, where El Salvador is searching for its four missing soldiers after a gang ambush in Croix-des-Bouquets on Oct. 18.
According to Axios, which reported the development Friday, Bukele called Trump on Tuesday to ensure the U.S. would not object to the deployment’s escalation. Trump reportedly responded, “Do what you have to do,” while expressing sympathy over the missing Salvadorans.
The full-scale deployment, approved by the Haitian government, is taking place under a bilateral agreement whose terms have not been made public. It remains unclear how the Salvadoran forces will coordinate with Haiti’s security institutions or the United Nations-authorized Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
The American news outlet, citing people familiar with the call, reported that Bukele wanted assurances that Washington would not abandon him in the middle of the intervention. Axios’ report also suggested Haiti could become a testing ground for Bukele and security contractor Erik Prince as intermediaries of U.S. power in the region.
The Salvadoran deployment comes as Haiti struggles to contain gang violence and international partners seek to strengthen security operations. El Salvador is already contributing to the GSF, providing medical assistance, troop transportation and maintenance support.
Bukele warns gangs as deployment advances
Bukele escalated his warnings to Haitian gangs after the four Salvadoran aviation technicians went missing. On Oct. 22, he threatened consequences if the men were not released alive and unharmed. They were described as kidnapping victims following the Oct. 18 ambush.
In a post on X on Oct. 29, Bukele said the deployment of Salvadoran troops and equipment was nearly complete. He sought to reassure Haitians that the operation was not directed against the population and did not constitute an invasion.
“We will also teach the gangs a lesson, these gangs that are making the Haitian people suffer, killing their loved ones and preventing them from living normal, free lives without fear.”
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele
Bukele said the mission’s immediate objective was to bring the four aviation technicians home, though their fate remains unknown. He also indicated that the operation would target gangs accused of terrorizing Haitian communities.
“We will also teach the gangs a lesson, these gangs that are making the Haitian people suffer, killing their loved ones and preventing them from living normal, free lives without fear,” Bukele said.
About 2,000 Salvadoran special forces had already been deployed to the Haitian capital— with more expected to arrive— in a move that signals a shift from El Salvador’s existing support in the GSF toward a more direct military posture against gangs. However, neither government has publicly explained the operation’s command structure or how it will coordinate with other security forces.
Bukele says the immediate priority is to locate and bring home the four missing Salvadoran aviation technicians. According to Axios, the U.S. and Colombia have provided logistical and transportation support for the deployment, with El Salvador covering about 90% of the operation costs.
While El Salvador already contributes to the international force, it remains unclear whether its newly deployed troops will conduct operations jointly with the GSF or independently.
