El Salvador launches military operation after soldiers seized in Haiti

El Salvador's government said it has mobilized military forces to secure the release of four soldiers taken captive by armed gangs operating in Haiti. President Nayib Bukele issued a warning to the criminal organizations holding the servicemen, signaling the country's determination to recover its personnel.

The abduction highlights the security crisis gripping Haiti, where powerful gang networks have expanded their territorial control and increased kidnappings of both locals and foreign nationals. El Salvador has maintained a military presence in Haiti as part of regional security efforts, though details of the soldiers' exact location and circumstances surrounding their capture remain unclear.

Bukele's administration has taken a hardline stance against gang violence domestically and has indicated it will not tolerate threats to its armed forces abroad. The military operation represents a significant escalation in the Central American nation's response to criminal activity in the Caribbean region.

Haiti has struggled for years with gang violence that has displaced thousands and overwhelmed local security forces. The kidnapping of foreign military personnel underscores the depth of institutional collapse in the country and the reach of criminal networks operating across the island.