El Salvador soldiers seek discharge over deadly Haiti mission as four remain missing
Key Takeaways
- Several Salvadoran soldiers reportedly sought to leave the military over fears of deployment to Haiti, but their requests were Four Salvadoran aeronautical technicians disappeared following an October 18 ambush near Port-au-Prince.
- Bukele ordered around 2,000 soldiers to Haiti, while experts warned of security risks and communication barriers.
Reports of soldiers seeking to avoid deployment emerge as Bukele sends 2,000 troops to Haiti to search for four Salvadoran technicians missing after a gang ambush.
Some Salvadoran soldiers have reportedly requested discharge from the military to avoid deployment to Haiti, where a search continues for four missing Salvadoran aeronautical technicians following an attack by armed groups.
The reported requests come as President Nayib Bukele has ordered around 2,000 soldiers to Haiti to support search and rescue operations.
Marvin Reyes, a member of the Police Workers' Movement (MTP), said several soldiers had attempted to leave the Armed Forces before being assigned to the mission. However, their requests were reportedly rejected by the military high command.
'Yes, we have reports that several soldiers had requested discharge just before going to the Haiti mission or being sent to that mission, but they were denied. There is no exact figure because this information is classified; it is handled only at the military level and is not in the public domain,' Reyes explained.
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According to Reyes, fear of being killed during armed confrontations is the main reason some soldiers are reluctant to participate in the operation.
'The main reason is the risk of losing one's life. They know the risks are extremely high in that type of conflict,' he said.
The concerns follow the disappearance of four Salvadoran aeronautical technicians on October 18, 2026.
The technicians were serving with the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) when armed groups ambushed their armoured vehicle on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.
The attackers reportedly set the vehicle on fire. Although all four technicians managed to escape, their whereabouts have remained unknown.
Following the incident, Bukele ordered military reinforcements to Haiti, including approximately 2,000 soldiers supported by armoured vehicles and helicopters.
Reyes warned that Salvadoran troops could face additional challenges because of their limited familiarity with gang-controlled areas, insufficient intelligence and communication difficulties.
'The predominant language is French in Haiti. But there are also other local dialects that are completely unknown. So there is a risk of facing groups who will not be understood at all,' Reyes added.
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Meanwhile, retired military officer and international law expert Jose Edgar Campos said soldiers assigned to the mission were required to follow military orders.
'Note that for the units going on that mission, no member can refuse. It is precisely part of the armed institution, and in the Armed Forces the unit goes to fulfil a mission,' he noted.
Campos also explained that El Salvador's involvement in Haiti was taking place under international cooperation arrangements and United Nations provisions.
'Chapter Seven of the United Nations establishes that force can indeed be used. So the risks are already known and it is covered by the United Nations,' the expert maintained.
As of November 2, authorities had not publicly announced any information about the whereabouts of the four missing Salvadoran technicians.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
