Four Salvadoran aviation technicians were taken hostage by Haitian gangs after an ambush on Sunday. The technicians were part of the United Nations-backed international Gang Suppression Force and were in Haiti to carry out medical evacuations and save lives.
What happened
The ambush occurred in Croix-des-Bouquets, a neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, and marked the first attempt by local gangs to strike the Gang Suppression Force. Initially, Salvadoran officials reported that the men had escaped the ambush on foot, but it was later confirmed that they were being held hostage.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele warned the gang leaders and members that his military was launching a rescue operation and would not stop until all four hostages were safely returned. He also cautioned the gangs that they would face severe consequences if the hostages were not released unharmed.
The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, pledged to help secure the technicians' rescue, stating that the gangs' actions would not intimidate the coalition into retreat.
