According to Axios, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele is planning to send thousands more troops to Haiti to assist in combating gang violence and rescuing captured Salvadoran military personnel. Sources revealed that Bukele called US President Trump on Tuesday to confirm that the US would not oppose the military operation. Trump responded, "Do what you want." Haiti and El Salvador have already approved a bilateral agreement authorizing Salvadoran forces to operate in Haiti, and Salvadoran special forces and military equipment have begun arriving. This operation comes amid escalating gang violence in Haiti, with over 5,700 people killed this year and the presidential election postponed to next year due to the deteriorating security situation. Notably, the Trump administration hopes to avoid direct involvement in the Haitian operation. Sources say Bukele had previously requested US drones and transport aircraft, but this was refused. Colombia may act as an informal intermediary for equipment supply, thus avoiding any direct US involvement in the mission. Furthermore, Vectus Global, the company of US security contractor Eric Prince, also operates in Haiti. Prince is an ally of Trump and Booker, who could become public-private partnerships as agents for U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.
