UN responds to Haitian gang leader's ask for intervention as El Salvador's deploys 2,000 troops to find kidnapped aviation techs

Human Events 03 November 2026

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Haitian gang leader Wilson Joseph, who runs the 400 Mawozo gang in Port-au-Prince, asked the UN to intervene in the Caribbean nation and help create peace. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele sent 2,000 troops to the

Port-au-Prince to rescue four El Salvadoran aviation engineers who were captured by gangs in Croix-des-Bouquets, where 400 Mawozo is active.

The letter from Joseph, who is also known as Lanmó San Jou, was sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, states that he has "been willing to pursue a peaceful solution since August through dialogue between his organization and international forces, apparently referring to the Gang Suppression Force," Dominican Today reports.

Joseph suggests that a UN delegation visit Haiti and attempt to conduct negotiations between the gangs and the Salvadoran military personnel. Ahead of sending troops, Bukele announced that the gangs could simply return the aviation engineers and avoid the massive influx of troops. But the men were not returned.

Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric responded, confirming receipt of the letter and saying that they "continue to emphasize the importance of complying with all applicable international law, protecting populations, and prioritizing the pursuit of peaceful solutions in Haiti.

"The United Nations is aware of the reports about additional Salvadoran military personnel being deployed to Haiti. The vast majority of those are not deployed under the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and, therefore, fall outside of the scope of the UN Support Office's mandate and reporting.

"The UN Support Office is there to provide logistical and operational support to personnel from the Gang Suppression Force and also on the applicable Human Rights Due Diligence Policy mandate."

The UN has responded:

In answer to questions raised on Haiti, the Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric had the following to say:

We have received a letter bearing the signature of Mr. Wilson Joseph of “Gwoup Rebel 400” addressed to the attention of the Secretary-General.… https://t.co/XWo8rCJyZ7
— Gabriel Elizondo (@elizondogabriel) November 3, 2026

Bukele addressed a separate letter from UNA Haiti which accused El Salvador of "bombing civilians" and killing children. He said the NGO responsible for the letter, which is not affiliated with the UN despite their name, is one of many that "lie with impunity, while wielding enormous influence over international organizations. They are nothing more than lobbying firms for criminals and cartels, masquerading as humanitarian organizations."

Bombs?

Our mission doesn't even have bombs at its disposal.

Aerial bombardments? Helicopter gunship attacks?

Our attack helicopters didn't arrive in Haiti until October 29. Their arrival was widely covered by the media, with plenty of videos and social media posts documenting… https://t.co/lYopu49nuW pic.twitter.com/PHT6qTYQHV
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) October 31, 2026

President Donald Trump spoke to the issue, backing Bukele, saying, "I did speak to him. He said that he has a big problem with Haiti... They killed some of his people. I said, 'You're running your country. You have to do what you have to do.'"

"Can confirm," Bukele said.

Can confirm. https://t.co/pT2cHyFT12
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) November 1, 2026

The gang leader suggests that further violence could result from the arrival of troops to Haiti and that reconciliation, not more bloodshed, is what's needed. The United States has a $1 million bounty out for information leading to Joseph's capture. He was also involved in the brutal, 61-day kidnapping of 17 Christian missionaries in 2021.

Joseph is under sanction by the United Nations Security Council. In their sanction, the UN notes that he is the head of 400 Mawozo. "Wilson Joseph is responsible – either directly or through orders to his gang members – for the commission of human rights abuses and crimes, including those involving attacks against defenseless individuals causing death and injury, disrupting or impeding humanitarian aid (e.g. medical services), rape (including rape of minors), the recruitment of children, robbery, looting, and destruction of public property such as prisons and police stations, kidnapping, and hijacking of trucks," the UN states.

Specifically, the UN cites the killing and mutilation of a Croix-des-Bouquets Police Commissioner in 2022, the shooting, robbing, and kidnapping of surgeons, doctors and nurses in 2023, as well as the kidnapping of the Christian missionaries. The gang is also known for arms trafficking.

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