U.S. Diplomats Reportedly Pushing Back On El Salvador Battling Haiti Gangs Despite Trump’s Public Support

El Salvador’s efforts to combat gangs in Haiti brought a rebuke from a U.S. diplomat despite President Trump openly supporting El Salvador.

According to Axios, a diplomatic note was sent to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, criticizing El Salvador’s military efforts in Haiti and said they needed to coordinate with the United Nations-supported Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

“His attitude was, ‘What the f*ck? I checked with Trump. He said do what we have to do, and some bureaucrat is fighting this?'” a source who spoke with Bukele told Axios.

Haiti has a weak government and has been battling with gangs since 2020, particularly since the killing of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The UN adopted a resolution authorizing the deployment of the GSF in September 2025. It conducts military and intelligence-led operations across Haiti, including beyond Port-au-Prince. The GSF coordinates with the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti.

El Salvador entered the fray after four Salvadoran aviation technicians attached to the GSF were ambushed by gang members on Oct. 18. It is believed the men were kidnapped.

In response, Bukele sent more than 2,500 Salvadoran troops into Haiti — a contingent that was larger than the 1,500-member GSF already deployed.

“Our only goal,” he stated at the time, “is to bring our four aviation technicians back home.”

Bukele’s actions were supported publicly by President Trump, who told Bukele “do what you have to do.”

According to Axios, tensions between the State Department and El Salvador flared after an Oct. 31 gang attack. A Salvadoran convoy was fired upon, and the U.S. embassy was struck by gunfire during the clash.

The outlet noted that U.S. Chargé d’Affaires David Howell sent a to Haitian officials complaining that El Salvador wasn’t “coordinating” with the GSF. In the message, Howell reportedly told El Salvadoran officials they should stop their activities “as soon as possible … until they coordinate. They are going to kill [GSF] troops or civilians and or get themselves killed.”