The arrival of thousands of military personnel from El Salvador in Haiti is giving some residents renewed hope for security. At the same time, concerns are growing over the mandate of the foreign troops and the consequences of military operations for civilians.
De deployment of Salvadoran troops in Haiti has expanded considerably in a short period of time. According to international reporting, about 2,000 Salvadoran military personnel were present in the Caribbean country on Wednesday, 28 October. The government of El Salvador was considering expanding the force to about 2,500 personnel.
The military reinforcements follow an armed attack on 18 October, in which four Salvadoran aviation technicians from the internationally supported security mission went missing. The military personnel were attacked in an area controlled by armed gangs, east of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has stated that the military operation is primarily intended to find the four missing compatriots. However, the scale and speed of the deployment raise questions about the actual mandate, the duration of the operation and the relationship with the Haitian authorities.
Salvadoran troops in Haiti cause division
According to an extensive investigation by the Miami Herald, residents of Haiti have responded differently to the arrival of the military personnel. Some citizens hope that the foreign troops will succeed in pushing back armed gangs, after earlier international security operations brought insufficient improvement.
At the same time, others fear that the military reinforcements could lead to more armed confrontations in densely populated residential areas. According to experts, uncertainty in particular over the command structure and the powers of the Salvadoran military personnel is an important concern.
Rapid expansion after military personnel disappear
According to the Miami Herald, the first one hundred Salvadoran special units were sent to Haiti on 22 October. They were followed by several transport flights carrying military personnel and equipment. According to international reporting, US military transport aircraft have also been deployed to facilitate the movement.
Bukele stated on Thursday, 29 October, that his government is covering about 90 percent of the costs of the operation. He stressed that El Salvador is not seeking the occupation of Haiti or domination over the Haitian population. The president remains committed to the objective of bringing back the four missing military personnel.
Uncertainty over command and legal basis
The arrival of so many foreign military personnel has sparked a discussion about Haiti’s national sovereignty. According to the Miami Herald, at the start of the reinforcements, no formal agreement had yet been signed regulating the legal status of the additional Salvadoran troops. There is still uncertainty about the precise arrangements.
The presence of various security organisations also plays a role. The Haitian police, the national army, the international Gang Suppression Force and private security units are involved in the fight against the gangs. Without clear coordination, problems may arise regarding responsibilities and the protection of civilians.
More foreign military personnel offer hope, but without clear agreements, the safety of civilians remains uncertain.
Civilian population faces violence again
The humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières warned on 28 October of a further deterioration in the security situation. Between 18 and 26 October, the organisation treated thirty people who had been injured by gunfire or drone explosions.
Women and children are among the injured. According to the aid organisation, medical facilities are becoming increasingly difficult to reach because roads and bridges have been blocked. Mobile medical activities and the distribution of purified drinking water in certain areas also had to be suspended.
Bukele’s approach not easily applicable
President Bukele has gained international recognition in El Salvador for his tough approach to organised crime. His security policy has led to a sharp decline in gang violence, but has also drawn criticism from human rights organisations because of mass arrests and concerns about legal protections.
Experts stress that Haiti faces a different situation. Criminal organisations there possess heavy weapons, extensive networks and knowledge of the local terrain. Moreover, government institutions have been severely weakened. An approach that has produced results in El Salvador may therefore not automatically have the same effect in Haiti.
Political crisis complicates Haiti’s recovery
The security problems coincide with a prolonged political crisis. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, Haiti has had no elected president. The organisation of new elections is continuously hampered by gang violence and the government’s limited authority.
According to Associated Press, the provisional electoral council has now announced new election dates. The first round is scheduled for 18 July 2027 and the second round for 4 October 2027. The original election date of 13 December 2026 has therefore been abandoned.
Why developments are also relevant to Suriname
The crisis in Haiti also affects Suriname, as both countries are members of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. This regional organisation supports diplomatic efforts to restore security and democratic governance in Haiti. The developments are therefore important for the joint security policy within the Caribbean region.
CARICOM previously stressed that international security forces must work closely with the Haitian authorities. Conditions must also be created under which citizens can safely participate in elections. Key News previously published an extensive analysis of the crisis in Haiti and its significance for Suriname.
Uncertainty over results of military operation
For now, it is unclear whether the expansion of the Salvadoran force will lead to an improvement in security in the short term. There is also still no full public clarity about the whereabouts of the four missing military personnel and the conditions under which the additional troops will operate.
The coming period will have to show in particular how El Salvador, the Haitian government and the international security mission coordinate their work. For the population, the issue is not only pushing back the gangs, but also being able to go to school, work or a hospital without danger.
