El Salvador President Nayib Bukele launched a military rescue in Haiti on Wednesday for four Air Force technicians seized after gangs ambushed their vehicle Saturday near Santo in Croix-des-Bouquets. The men serve in a United Nations-backed force of pilots and technicians for medical evacuations rather than combat; they fled gunfire and explosives that burned the vehicle and are believed held by Chen Mechan in Plaine du Cul-de-Sac.

Bukele warned gang leaders later force would dwarf the current action unless all four return unharmed, noting El Salvador’s gang crackdown, and said their safe release would restore prior conditions. Haitian police and the force entered the area, killing several gang members while schools closed and roads were blocked as residents stayed indoors. The office of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé called freeing them a top priority and vowed operations would continue until success.