El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, claimed in a video posted to X that his country's military destroyed the headquarters of Haiti's notorious 400 Mawozo gang during an airstrike at a complex outside Port-au-Prince.
The Claimed Attack
Bukele stated: 'We destroyed the house of [gang leader] Lanmò San Jou and the 400 Mawozo gang’s headquarters.' The post was accompanied by footage showing helicopters circling above what appears to be a large property in Croix-des-Bouquets, widely regarded as a known stronghold for the group. Dozens of people are seen fleeing from the site in the video.
According to reports cited by the Miami Herald, the 400 Mawozo gang is one of Haiti's largest criminal organizations, involved in kidnappings, extortion, murders, and arms trafficking. It has long controlled significant areas within Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions.
Lack of Independent Verification
The BBC could not verify either the authenticity of Bukele’s video or whether the complex indeed serves as the official headquarters of the 400 Mawozo gang. Haitian authorities have not confirmed the property’s status nor provided an assessment of damage. The extent of destruction remains unconfirmed; some sources suggest only partial damage may have occurred.
Wilson 'Lanmò San Jou' Joseph, identified as a leader of the group, was reportedly absent from the site at the time of the attack. There is no public confirmation that any individuals were killed during the operation—though several media outlets report up to 20 fatalities, none has been officially verified by Haitian or international bodies.
Military Presence and Operational Context
The Salvadoran military deployed approximately 2,000 troops to Haiti in October following the abduction of four air force technicians while shopping for food. The men were working with the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which initially included personnel from Chad.
Since then, Salvadoran forces have become a regular presence in Port-au-Prince. According to reports from the Miami Herald, Haiti’s National Police drone task force participated alongside Salvadoran soldiers during the strike.
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé publicly thanked the Salvadoran military and affirmed continued cooperation between nations—alongside the GSF—to 'regain control of territory' and restore state authority.
Criticism and Legal Concerns
The operation has drawn criticism from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, which urged both countries to ensure all actions by Salvadoran forces comply with international human rights law. Critics argue that the deployment lacks clear operational coordination within the framework of the GSF and may exceed legal boundaries in a sovereign nation under active governance challenges.
El Salvador’s own domestic policies have faced scrutiny for expanding emergency powers and conducting mass trials of alleged gang members, raising concerns about due process and civil liberties—issues echoed in discussions over its foreign interventions.
Origin of the Directive
Bukele reportedly responded to an online user on X who challenged him: 'Where is that house? Give us the exact address, and we'll destroy it.' The post has since been removed, likely violating platform rules. This exchange suggests public pressure may have influenced the decision to act against a specific site.
No official record confirms whether the property was previously designated as a criminal headquarters or if any formal intelligence assessment supported targeting actions at this location.
Haiti remains one of the poorest nations in the Americas, with gang violence persisting across urban areas. Between January 1 and September 11 this year alone, UN data indicates at least 5,700 people were killed or injured by gangs or during anti-gang operations.
While Bukele has promoted similar crackdowns domestically—reportedly reducing gang-related crime in El Salvador—he continues to issue direct threats against Haitian gang leaders through military action abroad. The legality and proportionality of such interventions remain unestablished under international law.