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El Salvador is now part of the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti, a collaborative effort led by Kenya to help the Haitian government restore control over gang-dominated areas. This development follows President Nayib Bukele’s offer earlier this year to support Haiti’s fight against insecurity, leveraging his country’s controversial yet highly publicized anti-gang policies.
Haiti’s Foreign Minister, Dominique Dupuy, confirmed the involvement of El Salvador, highlighting the importance of the Salvadoran government’s commitment. “El Salvador’s decision to join this mission reflects their readiness to support us in addressing gang violence. Their experience in combatting organized crime offers valuable insights,” Dupuy stated.
In March 2024, Bukele proposed exporting his government’s security strategies to Haiti, aiming to replicate the hardline measures that have been credited with significantly reducing gang-related violence in El Salvador. Bukele has gained international attention for his crackdown on gangs, which, though controversial, has been lauded by many as a solution to deep-rooted crime issues.
In a social media post earlier this year, Bukele drew parallels between El Salvador and Haiti’s gang crises, arguing that gangs are not untouchable forces but can be dismantled with the right policies. His administration has faced both praise and criticism for its approach, which involves large-scale arrests and heavy-handed tactics against criminal organizations.
El Salvador’s role in the MSSM has already begun, with a team from the country assisting in medical evacuations and precision operations in Haiti. However, specifics regarding the full scope of its involvement remain unclear, as differing accounts have emerged on the exact nature of El Salvador’s contributions to the mission.
The mission itself is part of a broader international effort to stabilize Haiti, a country suffering from severe gang violence, political instability, and economic challenges. The MSSM, greenlit by the UN, aims to support Haitian authorities in regaining control of key regions and providing much-needed security to its citizens.
El Salvador’s participation was formalized on October 3, 2024, through an agreement between San Salvador and Haiti’s representative to the Organization of American States (OAS). The Salvadoran Legislative Assembly has since been asked to ratify the accord, which outlines the deployment of humanitarian support personnel to Haiti.
El Salvador’s contribution, although still unfolding, signals a strengthening of ties between the two nations and an attempt to apply a proven, albeit controversial, model to Haiti’s ongoing security challenges.
