El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has launched a security operation in coordination with Haitian police targeting the 400 Mawozo criminal organization, a gang notorious for kidnapping 16 American Christian missionaries in 2021.

The operation marks another step in El Salvador’s expanding security involvement in Haiti, where Salvadoran military personnel are supporting efforts to confront armed groups and restore government control over territories affected by gang violence.

The 400 Mawozo gang gained international attention in October 2021 after abducting 16 American missionaries and one Canadian national. The hostages were held for 61 days before securing their release, highlighting the organization’s reach and the severity of Haiti’s security crisis.

The joint operation reflects growing cooperation between Salvadoran and Haitian security forces under Bukele’s administration, as both countries seek to weaken criminal networks responsible for violence, kidnappings, and territorial control.