The offensive comes two weeks after the disappearance of four Salvadoran soldiers.
On Monday, Salvadoran troops deployed in Haiti launched their first major military operation in the Cul-de-Sac plain, northeast of Port-au-Prince, to weaken the Chen Mechan and 400 Mawozo gangs.
RELATED: El Salvador’s Military Operation in Haiti Raises Questions Amid Civilian Deaths
The offensive comes two weeks after the disappearance of four Salvadoran soldiers, allegedly ambushed in the Croix-des-Bouquets area, an incident that increased the pressure on the forces deployed in the Caribbean country.
Soldiers advanced in armored vehicles and clashed with armed groups that attempted to block their advance with barricades in areas controlled by the gangs. At least a dozen members of criminal groups were killed during the clashes in areas such as Santo and Croix-des-Missions.
The 400 Mawozo gang, considered one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Haiti, is led by Lanmò San Jou, for whose capture the United States is offering a reward of up to one million dollars.
🇸🇻🇭🇹 | AHORA — Militares de El Salvador patrullan por primera vez las calles de Puerto Príncipe, capital de Haití, en medio de la crisis de seguridad que atraviesa el país.
Más de 2.000 soldados salvadoreños fueron desplegados por orden del presidente Nayib Bukele. pic.twitter.com/A82LmxhiFO
— Polymarket Español (@polymarketenesp) November 1, 2026
The text reads, “Soldiers from El Salvador are patrolling the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, for the first time amid the security crisis gripping the country. More than 2,000 Salvadoran soldiers were deployed by order of President Nayib Bukele.”
Meanwhile, the Haitian National Police are conducting operations in the same region with the support of the Gang Suppression Force, focusing their efforts on avoiding kidnappings, extortion, and other criminal activities.
Haitian authorities indicated that the operations aim to restore security in strategic areas of the capital. During the operation, armored vehicles and special units were deployed to various points in the Cul-de-Sac plain, one of the areas most affected by gang violence.
Some local media outlets also reported that the Viv Ansanm criminal coalition “pressured” residents of certain neighborhoods to protest against the Salvadoran military presence and the actions of the security forces.
El Salvador deployed troops to Haiti as part of a military operation to assist in combating armed gangs. 🇸🇻🇭🇹
President Nayib Bukele stated that his country had the necessary capabilities to help restore security following what he described as an unsustainable international… pic.twitter.com/wIqgF1OEXu
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 30, 2026
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
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