An international security force deployed in Haiti was ambushed by deadly Haitian gangs, resulting in the kidnapping of four Salvadoran Air Force members.
What happened
The ambush occurred on Saturday in the village of Santo, located in the Croix-des-Bouquets commune. One of the vehicles of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) came under attack by gang members, who used heavy gunfire and explosives. The vehicle caught fire, but the four officials managed to escape. However, they were later kidnapped by the gangs.
The GSF responded to the attack with aerial support from helicopters, which forced the gangs to retreat. Support operations were launched in coordination with other countries deployed in Haiti, but attempts to reach the area have been hampered by intense fighting and security conditions.
According to Haitian government sources, the four Salvadoran officials were captured by members of the Chen Mechan gang. The sources stated that the officials had used Google Maps to go to a store in Santo without informing the Haitian National Police, and since then, there has been no news of them.
The attack occurred just hours before a U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss the ongoing violent situation in Haiti. During the meeting, it was reported that over 1,000 people have been killed and over 100 abducted between July and September. The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with El Salvador, vowing to bring the missing soldiers back home.
