El Salvadorian troops have joined Haitian police in a military operation targeting the home and alleged headquarters of Wilson Joseph, also known as Lanmò Sanjou, leader of the powerful 400 Mawozo gang. Photo: World News

The operation took place on November 8 in Croix-des-Bouquets, near Port-au-Prince, with armed helicopters firing on the compound. Haitian authorities and Salvadoran forces reportedly killed around 20 people, while Joseph was not at the site during the attack.

The strike came just days after Joseph appealed to the United Nations, requesting international mediation and dialogue to prevent further escalation. The UN confirmed receiving his letter, in which he warned that the growing military offensive could put Haitian civilians at greater risk.

El Salvador has deployed approximately 2,500 troops to Haiti to support the government’s campaign against armed gangs, following the disappearance of four Salvadoran military personnel in an ambush in October.

The deployment has raised questions over operational coordination and accountability, as many Salvadoran troops are reportedly operating outside the framework of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force.