El Salvador’s Bukele announces military operation to rescue hostages held by gangs in Haiti

SAN SALVADOR (AP) — El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said Wednesday he had launched a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti, warning of a more forceful response if they are not released alive and unharmed.

The announcement comes three days after gangs in Haiti opened fire on an armoured vehicle over the weekend, marking the first major attack since an international gang suppression force began operations in the violence-wracked Caribbean country.

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After fleeing the burning vehicle in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, Port-au-Prince, the four men went missing.