World News

El Salvador launches rescue for four personnel reportedly kidnapped in Haiti

President Nayib Bukele threatened a harsher response if four personnel are not freed alive; no gang has claimed the attack.

Updated Oct 22, 2026 · 22:32 UTC3 reports

The short version

El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele announced a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti after a Sunday attack.[Associated Press]
Bukele warned that a far more severe response would follow if the four are not released alive and unharmed.[Associated Press]
El Salvador deployed 100 special forces soldiers to Haiti on Thursday, and an official said 100 more were due that night.[ABC News]
No gang has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to reporting.[BBC News]

Bukele announced on Wednesday a military operation to rescue four Salvadoran aviation technicians kidnapped by gangs in Haiti following a Sunday attack.[Associated Press]
Bukele threatened a more severe attack if the four are not released alive and unharmed.[Associated Press]
El Salvador deployed 100 special forces soldiers to Haiti on Thursday to help recover four missing soldiers, according to two officials cited by the Associated Press.[ABC News]
An official with El Salvador's government, who was not authorized to speak on the matter, said an additional 100 soldiers were to be deployed to Haiti Thursday night.[ABC News]
No gang has claimed responsibility for the attack.[BBC News]

Outlets describe the four personnel as aviation technicians in some reports and as soldiers in others.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Bukele's threat is conditional on release, and the reporting does not establish whether the four are alive.[Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.