El Salvador and US Disagree Over Haiti Military Operation

El Salvador has questioned the credibility of the top US diplomat in Haiti, according to a report by Axios on November 10. The government of President Nayib Bukele sent a formal diplomatic note accusing US chargé d'affaires David Howell of spreading false information about El Salvador's military intervention against gangs in Haiti. This move comes in response to criticism from the US State Department after President Donald Trump expressed full support for the operation.

The disagreement began after an attack on a Salvadoran convoy near the US embassy in Port-au-Prince on October 31. David Howell warned Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé that Salvadoran soldiers were not coordinating with the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and that their actions could lead to harm to GSF soldiers, civilians, or themselves. The US embassy in San Salvador sent a formal protest to the Salvadoran government, citing a lack of coordination that put the GSF in danger.

However, the Salvadoran authorities dispute the US version of events, presenting four counter-claims and arguing that Howell provided no evidence. The State Department did not comment on who authorized the protest note or the letter to the Haitian prime minister. Meanwhile, President Trump had given his approval for the Salvadoran operation during a phone call with President Bukele on October 27, with the potential for up to 2,000 Salvadoran soldiers to be deployed.

The status of the Salvadoran troops in Haiti remains unclear, with the UN stating that most of them are not operating under the GSF umbrella. The UN has reminded El Salvador of the need to respect international law. Prior to the October 18 attack on its technicians, El Salvador had not signed any agreements with the UN, the Haitian government, or the Dominican Republic for the evacuation of its wounded.

A lobbyist for the Salvadoran government, Damian Merlo, claims that the Salvadoran forces are closely coordinating their actions with the GSF and the prime minister's office. President Bukele's approach in Haiti mirrors the one he implemented in El Salvador since 2022, which involves a state of emergency and mass arrests that human rights organizations have criticized as infringing on civil liberties.

The US administration is now caught in a delicate position, with President Trump's support for the Salvadoran operation at odds with the reservations expressed by US diplomats. The situation highlights the complexities of international cooperation in addressing security challenges in the region. Washington has yet to take a clear stance on the matter, leaving the issue unresolved.

The deployment of Salvadoran troops to Haiti began in late October, following the disappearance of four Salvadoran soldiers during an ambush in Port-au-Prince. The incident sparked concerns about the safety of international personnel and the need for coordinated efforts to address gang violence in Haiti.

Key points

• El Salvador's government accuses US diplomat of spreading false info on Haiti operation
• US administration caught in delicate position over support for Salvadoran operation
• Status of Salvadoran troops in Haiti remains unclear amid UN concerns over international law