Trump backs Bukele's troop deployment to Haiti

Donald Trump has given Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador, permission to deploy troops to Haiti after a gang ambush left four Salvadoran soldiers missing. According to Axios, which reported the development on Friday, Bukele called Trump on Tuesday seeking assurances that Washington would not oppose the military operation.

Bukele's forces are deploying under an agreement between El Salvador and Haiti whose terms have not been disclosed publicly. The deployment aims to combat gangs responsible for violence in Haitian communities and locate the missing soldiers. We will teach the gangs a lesson Bukele said, addressing concerns that his troops would target civilians.

The operation involves about 2,000 special forces currently deployed with more expected to arrive soon. El Salvador is covering roughly 90% of the costs, while the U.S. and Colombia are providing logistical support. It remains unclear how these forces will coordinate with Haiti's security institutions or the United Nations-authorized Gang Suppression Force (GSF).