Haiti travel alert: hunt on for four missing El Salvador techs after attack

El Salvador sent 100 special forces soldiers to Haiti on Thursday to help search for four of its aviation technicians who have gone missing after a gang attack, two officials said. Another 100 soldiers were due to follow on Thursday night, according to an official with El Salvador's government.

Key facts

• 100 El Salvador special forces soldiers arrived in Haiti on Thursday.
• A further 100 soldiers were set to be deployed on Thursday night.
• Four El Salvador aviation technicians are missing after an attack on Sunday in Croix-des-Bouquets.
• Haiti's government said on Wednesday evening that the four were abducted.
• The gang suppression force said a contingent from El Salvador arrived to support search and security operations.

What happened?

El Salvador's four aviation technicians were travelling in an armoured vehicle in Croix-des-Bouquets on Sunday when it came under fire from gangs, which also used explosives, authorities said. Haiti's government said on Wednesday evening that the missing soldiers had been abducted, in its first comments since the attack.

Who is searching for the missing soldiers?

El Salvador deployed 100 special forces soldiers on Thursday to help rescue the four technicians. The gang suppression force issued a brief statement late Thursday saying a contingent from El Salvador had arrived to support ongoing search and security operations at the location of the attack. An official with El Salvador's government, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said Salvadorean authorities were operating under the assumption that the four missing men are still alive.

Why is this significant?

The attack is the first major incident since the international gang suppression force began operations. That force replaced a Kenyan-led mission that struggled to help Haitian police quell gang violence because of a lack of resources and funds.

Salvadorean President Nayib Bukele announced a military operation to rescue the four technicians a day before the special forces arrived, and threatened a more forceful response if they are not released alive and unharmed.

What happens next

Search and security operations are continuing where the attack took place, with El Salvador's troops backing the gang suppression force. Salvadorean authorities say they believe the four technicians are alive; no timeline has been given for the operation or for the deployment of the additional 100 soldiers beyond Thursday night.