Search under way for four soldiers missing after gang attack in Haiti

International forces are combing the streets of Haiti for four Salvadoran aviation technicians who vanished after their armored vehicle was assaulted by armed gangs on Sunday. The men, members of the United Nations‑backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), escaped the burning vehicle in Croix‑des‑Bouquets, a commune north of Port‑au‑Prince. It marks the first serious attack on the multinational force since it began operating earlier this year.

Salvadoran ambassador Egriselda Lopez condemned the ambush at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, saying, “During the attack, the criminal groups used firearms and explosive devices, setting the vehicle on fire.” She called the incident a blatant violation of international law.

The assault highlights the escalating danger as gangs retaliate against security operations, according to Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN Secretary‑General’s special representative for Haiti. Gangs have expanded their power since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, leaving a leadership void that they have exploited. Current estimates suggest that roughly 70 percent of Port‑au‑Prince is under gang control, with many major roads also dominated by criminal groups.

Massieu told the council that between July and September more than a thousand people were killed and over one hundred abducted in gang‑related violence. Haiti has been attempting to hold its first round of national elections in almost a decade, but repeated delays and concerns about security have stalled the process. Earlier this month the government announced an indefinite postponement after previously setting December 13 as the voting date. “The repeated announcement of electoral dates without a true assessment of their credibility, of their feasibility, only serves to weaken credibility with Haitian institutions,” Massieu said, adding that security gains alone will not bring lasting peace.

The GSF officially began operations on June 1, but its presence remains limited. Jack Christofides, the force’s special representative in Haiti, said it has deployed more than 2,000 personnel from six countries, yet it is still far below its authorized strength and lacks sufficient equipment, logistics and funding to broaden its activities. Following Sunday’s attack, the GSF said it is reviewing the situation and has urged residents to remain indoors.

The area where the armored vehicle was hit is controlled by gangs such as Kraze Barye, led by Vitelhomme Innocent, and 400 Mawozo, headed by Lanmo Sanjou. Both leaders have been sanctioned by the United Nations and the United States. A UN Security Council report released last month warned that armed gangs have seized large parts of the capital, employing murder, kidnapping and sexual violence with near‑total impunity.