October 29, 2026
The bodies of four Salvadoran soldiers missing since Sunday, October 18, in Santo (in the municipality of Croix-des-Bouquets) were reportedly found this Saturday, October 24, 2026, according to The New York Times. Citing two sources close to the security mission, the American newspaper reports that the severely burned remains were retrieved by the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), although their identity has not yet been officially confirmed.
The four servicemen—Salvadoran air force technicians deployed as part of the UN-backed international force—disappeared after their armored vehicle was attacked and caught fire during an ambush attributed to armed groups. Autopsies will be necessary to formally establish the identity of the victims, while the exact circumstances of their death remain to be clarified.
This alleged discovery comes after Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele deployed special forces reinforcements to Haiti to intensify search efforts. The head of state had warned the gangs that a larger operation would be launched if the servicemen were not released alive, making this case a major test for the FRG as it faces one of its first severe crises since the start of its operations.
