Haitian National Police announced they had regained control of Sylvio Cator Stadium in Port-au-Prince on Thursday (12 Nov), ending two years of gang occupation in a joint operation involving the government’s Task Force and Salvadoran forces. The stadium has since been placed under Salvadoran security and will serve as a base for further operations against armed groups.
El Salvador expanded its deployment after four Salvadoran aviation technicians linked to the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) disappeared in a gang attack last month. The broader intervention has drawn international scrutiny, with Amnesty International calling for greater transparency over the deployment’s legal framework and coordination outside the UN-backed mission.
The recapture of Sylvio Cator Stadium marks another tactical gain for Haitian and Salvadoran forces as they seek to restore state control over parts of Port-au-Prince.
However, security challenges remain significant, with the United Nations reporting a rise in kidnappings in the capital during the third quarter and warning that armed gangs continue to threaten civilians and public institutions.
The success of recent operations is likely to be measured by whether authorities can maintain control of reclaimed areas, improve coordination between security forces and create conditions for long-term stability and delayed national elections.
ℹ️ FRANCE24