El Salvador destroys Haitian gang leader mansion, Bukele warns

Bukele orders Haiti rescue push as 400 Mawozo chief Wilson Joseph vows to fight

A YouTube video by NOTICIERO SAN SALVADOR, titled "¡URGENTE! El Salvador destruye la mansión de jefe criminal haitiano y manda fuerte advertencia," has drawn views this week.

The channel’s description says El Salvador’s armed forces destroyed the mansion of one of Haiti’s most dangerous gang leaders. It says President Nayib Bukele warned that the move was only a small sample of the power gangs would face if they did not hand over four Salvadoran technicians, and that elite troops who finished with MS-13 were being prepared for Haiti.

Four Salvadoran aviation technicians assigned to the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force have been missing since an Oct. 18 ambush in Santo, Croix-des-Bouquets. Armed men hit their armored vehicle with gunfire and explosives, setting it on fire. The technicians fled the burning vehicle and have not been heard from since.

Bukele announced on X that he had launched a military rescue operation. "Do not take our word for empty threats," he wrote. "We have already finished with the gangs in El Salvador, and we can finish with you too."

"You [the gangs] still have time to prevent this. The decision is in your hands," he added.

Wilson Joseph, known as Lanmò San Jou and identified as the leader of 400 Mawozo, answered in a separate clip. De Último Minuto English reported that the approximately 90-second video shows him displaying large quantities of ammunition. He said he would not flee and was prepared to fight, the outlet reported of the footage.

That clip circulated as Haitian National Police and international forces conducted operations against 400 Mawozo positions in Butte Boyer and Cité Doudoune, according to the same account.

About 200 Salvadoran soldiers arrived in Port-au-Prince on Thursday and Friday, media reports citing security sources said. The Gang Suppression Force confirmed a Salvadoran contingent arrived Thursday. Earlier reporting said a contingent of about 300 officers was expected by Thursday. Four GSF personnel were wounded Tuesday in operations, according to the force.