70 Salvadoran soldiers arrive in Haiti to bolster multinational mission against gangs

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Seventy Salvadoran soldiers arrived in Haiti  Tuesday to reinforce the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), bringing the number of Salvadoran forces to 78 personnel. The MSS, active since June 2024, now comprises 859 personnel, including the latest contingent of 217 Kenyan police officers deployed last month. 

The military officers from El Salvador landed at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince and were welcomed by the president of the Transitional Presidential Council, Leslie Voltaire, Haitian National Police (PNH) Director General, Rameau Normil and MSS leader Godfrey Otunge. Canadian and French Ambassadors André François Giroux and Antoine Michon were also at the welcome reception.

In his speech, Otunge thanked international partners for their support and urged the Salvadoran soldiers to adapt quickly and commit fully to the fight against gangs. He reiterated that the mission’s goal is restoring peace and stability in Haiti.

“We will emerge victorious from this mission. Our collaboration with the PNH remains strong, built on mutual trust, close cooperation and a shared objective: restoring peace and stability,” Otunge declared.

According to the Kenyan commander, the Salvadoran contingent will provide critical aerial support, including casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations.

Heightened gang threats continue to spark fear

The deployment comes as armed gangs threaten to attack Pétion-Ville and Kenscoff, spreading fear among residents. On Monday, many schools remained closed as a precaution, although people carried on other daily activities normally. 

The municipality of Kenscoff recently experienced an attack that left about 40 victims and further compromised the primary road linking the West and Southeast departments. The MSS has struggled to meet public expectations as residents demand restored security and free access to gang-controlled roads.

U.S. freezes funding for MSS amid mission challenges

Adding to the mission’s challenges, the United States suspended its $13.3 million contribution to the United Nations fund supporting the MSS. According to UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, Washington formally requested an immediate freeze on the remaining funds, citing policy directives under President Donald Trump’s administration.

“The U.S. had initially promised $15 million for the mission, of which $1.7 million had already been spent,” Dujarric said.

Many people in the Haitian capital, like political analyst Daly Valet, criticized the funding freeze, noting the mission has yet to yield significant results.

“It’s time Haiti uses its intelligence funds for national security rather than personal interests of politicians,” Valet said.

The U.S. decision aligns with President Trump’s broader directive to suspend foreign aid for 90 days.

As Salvadoran troops join the embattled MSS, Haiti faces a critical moment in its struggle to restore security and peace amid persistent gang violence and international funding uncertainty.

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