El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele secured US President Donald Trump’s approval before proceeding with a major military deployment to Haiti, where up to 2,000 Salvadoran troops are expected to help combat powerful armed gangs, Axios reported on Friday.
Bukele called Trump on Tuesday to ensure Washington would not oppose the operation, which has received approval from the Haitian government, according to the report.
“Do what you have to do,” Trump reportedly told Bukele, while also expressing sympathy over four Salvadoran military personnel who went missing following an ambush in Haiti.
The Salvadoran leader had previously proposed that his country take charge of efforts to pacify Haiti, effectively acting as a US-backed force.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly opposed the proposal, preferring to keep Washington at a distance.
US declines requests for military equipment
According to Axios, Bukele also asked Washington to provide military equipment, including drones and transport aircraft, but the requests were rejected.
Colombia could potentially act as an unofficial channel for supplying equipment, allowing the operation to move forward without direct US involvement, the report said.
El Salvador announced on Wednesday that it would send up to 2,000 troops to Haiti, with the possibility of increasing the deployment.
Bukele defended the mission in a post on X on Thursday, saying his country was not seeking financial gain from the operation.
“We didn't come to Haiti to make money, because no one is paying us to do it. We came to Haiti to fight against the wicked,” he wrote.
Haiti grapples with escalating gang violence
Haiti has struggled for years to contain heavily armed gangs, which control large areas of the country and have undermined security, displaced communities and disrupted access to essential services.
More than 5,700 people have been killed in gang-related violence in Haiti this year, according to the figures cited in the report.
The proposed Salvadoran deployment comes as Haitian authorities seek international support to restore security and strengthen efforts against armed groups.
The operation would mark a significant expansion of El Salvador's role in international security efforts beyond its borders.
