Haiti Gang War
Haitian police backed by Salvadoran troops killed 20 people in an operation in Croix-des-Bouquets, northeast of Port-au-Prince, on Sunday, Nov. 8, Al Jazeera reported. President Nayib Bukele released video of helicopters firing on the site and said the strike destroyed the headquarters of the 400 Mawozo gang, a mansion believed to belong to leader Wilson Joseph, though the Haitian Times said reports on the mansion conflict. The offensive followed the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians from a medical unit of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force after their armored vehicle was attacked in Croix-des-Bouquets on Oct. 18; El Salvador has since sent some 2,000 troops, with figures varying by source. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime praised Bukele and is expected to visit El Salvador next week to discuss the troops' future role. Amnesty International urged both governments to ensure operations comply with international human rights law. There has been no word that the four technicians have been rescued.
Background
After President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021, a prolonged political vacuum let armed gangs take over much of Port-au-Prince. In September 2023 rival gang federations united as Viv Ansanm, and a major offensive in early 2024 shook the government. When the Kenya-led multinational police mission proved too weak, the UN authorized a Gang Suppression Force in 2025.
Key issues
- Power vacuum after the 2021 assassination
- Viv Ansanm gang coalition's hold on the capital
- Shortfalls in personnel and funding for the security mission
- Mass displacement
Key milestones
| 2021-07 | President Moise assassinated |
|---|---|
| 2023-09 | Gang coalition Viv Ansanm formed |
| 2025-09 | UN Security Council approves Gang Suppression Force (5,500 personnel authorized) |
Parties
Haitian government and UN-backed GSF vs gang coalitions
Countries involved
Key events in the last 30 days
| 11-11 | War & ConflictSalvadoran troops widen offensive on Haitian gangs |
|---|---|
| 10-24 | War & ConflictGangs attack Salvadoran troops in gang suppression force; four missing |
Key relations
-
Support🇸🇻 El Salvador → 🇭🇹 Haiti
Salvadoran troops help destroy 400 Mawozo base
Bukele said Salvadoran troops helped destroy the 400 Mawozo gang headquarters on Nov. 10, with about 20 reported dead, and rejected US diplomats' concerns over coordination with the GSF.
Other issues in these countries
- Geopolitics & Diplomacy🇭🇹 Haiti
Salvadoran-backed raid destroys 400 Mawozo headquarters, about 20 killed; Bukele rebuffs US diplomat's coordination concerns