Salvadoran troops reportedly launch deadly operation against Haitian gang, leaving 20 dead
At least 20 people have reportedly been killed in an operation involving Salvadoran troops targeting suspected gang members in Haiti.
A country held hostage
The reported incident comes as Haiti continues to struggle with widespread gang violence, kidnappings and insecurity, particularly in areas where armed groups have taken control of communities and forced thousands of residents to flee.
For years, ordinary Haitians have lived under the constant threat of armed gangs, with many families unable to go about their daily lives without fear.
Foreign forces on the ground
Soldiers from El Salvador have been in Haiti since early 2025 as part of an internationally backed mission to help the Haitian police fight the gangs, alongside forces from other countries.
The reported operation has raised fresh questions about the growing role of foreign security forces in efforts to restore order in the troubled Caribbean nation.
What we don't know
The circumstances of the reported deaths, including the identities of those killed and the exact role played by the Salvadoran troops, have not been independently confirmed.
Over to you
Can foreign military intervention finally help Haiti regain control from armed gangs, or will it only lead to more bloodshed?
- At least 20 people were reportedly killed.
- Salvadoran troops are part of a mission to fight Haiti's gangs.
- The details have not been independently confirmed.
