Scoop: El Salvador blasts U.S. State Dept. over Haiti gang war

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1. 26m ago

   El Salvador Blasts U.S. State Department Over Haiti Gang War

   El Salvador has criticized the U.S. State Department as tensions deepen surrounding Salvadoran military operations in Haiti, where forces recently targeted gangs and destroyed the headquarters of the 400 Mawozo group. The offensive has left 20 dead and sparked international debate, balancing President Nayib Bukele's public support from Donald Trump against reported pushback from U.S. diplomats. Haitian Prime Minister Fils-Aimé is speaking out as concerns grow, and the Haitian leader is scheduled to visit El Salvador to discuss the future of the military offensive. Meanwhile, human rights organizations are urging both governments to ensure the deployment respects human rights.

   Why it matters

   The deployment of Salvadoran military personnel marks a controversial foreign intervention in Haiti's security crisis, drawing scrutiny from international observers and human rights groups over potential abuses. President Bukele's campaign relies on aggressive tactics mirroring his domestic anti-gang crackdown, presenting a high-stakes political gamble ahead of an election. Divisions between different levels of the U.S. government regarding the operation add diplomatic friction to an already volatile security landscape.

   What is confirmed

   • El Salvador's military operation against a Haitian gang resulted in 20 deaths.
   • President Bukele announced that the headquarters of the Haitian gang 400 Mawozo was destroyed.
   • Haitian Prime Minister Fils-Aimé has spoken out as concerns over El Salvador's troops deepen.
   • The Haitian leader is set to visit El Salvador to discuss the future of the Salvadoran troops' offensive.

   Still unconfirmed

   • U.S. diplomats are reportedly pushing back on El Salvador battling Haiti gangs despite Trump's public support.

   What to watch next

   • The upcoming visit of the Haitian leader to El Salvador to discuss the offensive's future.
   • Any official response or policy shift from the U.S. State Department regarding the deployment.
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. AP News — Haiti’s prime minister Fils-Aimé speaks out as concerns over El Salvador’s troops deepen
   2. Fox News — Bukele’s warning to Haitian gang leaders that his forces will 'finish' them as he did in El Salvador
   3. The Economist — El Salvador’s president thinks he can eliminate Haiti’s gangs
   4. Responsible Statecraft — Is Haiti becoming a front in a multinational conflict?
   5. Axios — Scoop: El Salvador blasts U.S. State Dept. over Haiti gang war
   6. AP News — Haitian leader to visit El Salvador to discuss future of Salvadoran troops’ offensive in Haiti
   7. Yahoo — U.S. Diplomats Reportedly Pushing Back On El Salvador Battling Haiti Gangs Despite Trump's Public Support
   8. Amnesty International — Haiti: The governments of Haiti and El Salvador must ensure that the deployment of Salvadoran military personnel respects human rights
   9. The Haitian Times — Powerful Haitian gang reaches out to state disarmament group as gunfights persist
   10. Al Jazeera — Salvadoran troops target Haitian gang, leaving 20 dead
   11. BBC — 400 Mawozo: Headquarters of Haitian gang destroyed, El Salvador's president says
   12. The Telegraph — Haiti gang headquarters blown up by El Salvador’s military
   confidence 90%