Search continues in Haiti for missing Salvadorans deployed with gang-fighting force

Search operations for four missing Salvadoran soldiers deployed with the United Nations-authorized Gang Suppression Force in Haiti continued into late Tuesday.

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The soldiers, aviation technicians with the Salvadoran army, were victims of a gang ambush on Sunday in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, east of Port-au-Prince, while on their way back to camp after visiting a local supermarket.

The area is under the control of two gangs, Chen Mechan and 400 Mawozo. The attack was first carried out by Chen Mechan with backup from 400 Mawozo, led by Joseph Wilson, one of several Haiti gang leaders wanted by the FBI. Once at war with one another, the two gangs are increasingly joining forces.

After firing upon the men’s white armored Toyota, the heavily armed gang members used explosive devices. The vehicle caught on fire in front of a local orphanage for disabled children. In a statement confirming the attack, the Armed Forces of El Salvador said the men had managed to escape.

Intense armed clashes soon followed, with the gang-fighting force reporting on Tuesday that four other soldiers deployed with the force were wounded during the firefight and are currently receiving treatment.

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“Preliminary reports indicate that several gang members were killed and others wounded during the fighting,” the force said in a statement.

On Monday, members of the U.N. Security Council expressed support for both the force and El Salvador over the incident. The United States ambassador to the U.N., Mike Waltz, warned Haitian gangs that their days are numbered.

The gang-fighting force’s command said troops have been conducting operations in the area since Sunday and have engaged members of armed gangs. Residents of Santo and surrounding communities were urged to remain indoors and avoid areas where operations are under way.

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This story was originally published October 20, 2026 at 9:51 PM.