President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic expressed support for Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele following the kidnapping of four Salvadoran military personnel in Haiti. The incident occurred on 19 October, when the men, who were part of an international effort to curb gang violence, were seized by armed groups in the Caribbean nation. During the “LA Agenda Semanal” broadcast on Monday, 26 October, Abinader said he shared Bukele’s stance on protecting the lives and dignity of the Salvadoran soldiers. “I identify with the position that President Bukele has taken to defend the dignity and life of those four Salvadorans who were truly working for peace in Haiti,” he said. Abinader also highlighted the security situation in Haiti and the risks faced by international missions. He recalled a similar incident in 2022 when a Dominican diplomat, an agricultural advisor named Guillén, was kidnapped by armed groups demanding $250,000 for his release. The Dominican government refused to pay the ransom, coordinated with Haitian authorities, and ultimately secured the diplomat’s release. Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre reported that the Salvadoran Air Force technicians were abducted on 19 October and that President Bukele announced a rescue operation on 21 October. Fernández Onofre described the event as evidence of the Haitian gangs’ capacity to challenge international forces operating in the country. Abinader reiterated his support for actions aimed at protecting the Salvadoran soldiers and emphasized the importance of international cooperation to restore security in Haiti. He added that, at the time of his remarks, there was no information indicating that any Dominican citizens had been kidnapped in Haiti.
Article source: De Ultimo Minuto | Image credit: De Ultimo Minuto