By The Haitian Tribune Staff
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haitian police say they have located the burned remains of a vehicle used by four Salvadoran aviation technicians who disappeared after an attack in gang-controlled territory on Oct. 18. Authorities have not reported finding the men.
The discovery was made near Santo, in the Croix-des-Bouquets area, where armed groups have maintained control. Haitian police said the operation encountered no resistance. The search involved Haitian officers, Salvadoran troops and members of the U.N.-backed gang-suppression force.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele sent more than 2,000 troops to Haiti after the technicians went missing. Their deployment has raised questions about command and coordination. The United Nations has said the Salvadoran troops operate outside the U.N.-backed force and must comply with international law. Haiti’s prime minister says foreign forces are under Haitian authority; Bukele has not publicly confirmed who commands his troops.
In a social media post, Bukele invoked Haitian independence leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines and accused gang members and their alleged supporters of obstructing Haiti’s freedom. He said El Salvador was prepared to help Haitians regain control of their communities.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, speaking publicly after the attack, said foreign forces are not replacing the Haitian state and that Haiti remains in charge of operations.
Meanwhile, 400 Mawozo leader Wilson Joseph, known as Lanmò Sanjou, has asked the U.N. secretary-general to send a delegation to Haiti to support dialogue. Joseph said he was concerned that escalating clashes could put civilians at risk.
The burned vehicle’s discovery offers investigators a possible lead, but the technicians’ whereabouts remain unknown. The competing calls for military action and dialogue reflect the difficult choices facing Haiti as authorities seek to recover the missing men and confront armed groups while limiting further harm to civilians.
By The Haitian Tribune NewsRoom
