El Salvador's military carried out a joint strike on a complex alleged to be the headquarters of the 400 Mawozo gang, with Haiti's Prime Minister praising the Salvadorean forces' commitment in the fight against gangs.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced the operation via a video on X, showing helicopters firing on a large complex. He described the site as the headquarters of the 400 Mawozo gang and claimed the alleged gang members fled without resistance. Local media reported that up to 20 people were killed in the strike, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday.
Haiti's Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé praised 'the commitment of the Salvadorean forces in the fight against gangs' and said the two nations would continue working with the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force. Bukele's post included a still image from the video, though the BBC has not verified the footage or confirmed the property's status as the gang's headquarters. A small contingent of El Salvador's troops has been in Haiti since January 2025 as part of a multinational force aimed at suppressing gang violence.
Why it matters
The strike underscores the role of El Salvador's military in Haiti's gang violence crisis and the potential for continued international collaboration.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Haiti's Prime Minister may provide further details on the operation's outcomes and casualty numbers.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.