Four Salvadoran soldiers missing after gang ambush in Port-au-Prince

Four Salvadoran soldiers from the UN‑backed multinational security force were reported missing after a heavily‑armed gang ambushed their convoy in Port‑au‑Prince on Saturday, officials said. The attack took place in the Cité Soleil district, a hotspot for gang activity. The soldiers were part of a 400‑strong contingent that El Salvador sent to Haiti earlier this year to help restore order.

Haiti has been mired in violence since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and the subsequent power struggle that left Prime Minister Ariel Henry in charge. Henry asked the international community for help, leading to a Kenya‑led mission supported by the United Nations. The force includes troops from Chad, Bangladesh, and El Salvador, among others. Gangs, especially the so‑called “400 Mawozo” and “G9 Family and Allies,” have been targeting security personnel, kidnapping civilians and looting neighborhoods. The missing soldiers are the latest victims of a pattern that threatens the fragile security plan.

The Salvadoran government confirmed the loss and said it was working with Haitian authorities and the UN to locate the men. President Nayib Bukele called the incident “unacceptable” and vowed to increase support for the mission. Haiti’s interior minister said a joint search operation was already under way, involving Haitian police, the multinational force and local informants. The UN peacekeeping office released a statement condemning the attack and urging all parties to respect the safety of peacekeepers. So far, no group has claimed responsibility, but witnesses reported dozens of gunmen in military‑grade weapons opening fire on the convoy.

The next steps will focus on a coordinated rescue effort and a review of force protection measures. If the soldiers are not found quickly, the incident could pressure El Salvador to reconsider its deployment, which would weaken the already stretched multinational presence. Haitian officials say the attack underscores the need for more resources and a stronger mandate to curb gang power. The UN is expected to convene an emergency meeting later this week to discuss additional support for the mission and to assess the impact of the growing threat on the overall stabilization effort.