Just weeks after El Salvador’s military intervention in Haiti, the country’s most feared gangs—including the infamous ‘Barbecue’—have abruptly shifted from terrorizing civilians to pleading for peace. This sudden pivot comes as Salvadoran forces, under President Nayib Bukele’s orders, dismantle gang strongholds and push violent groups into retreat.
A Nation Under Siege
Haiti has long been a battleground for warring gangs, with groups like 400 Mawozo and Barbecue’s faction controlling vast territories through kidnappings, killings, and extortion. Reports of cannibalism and public executions had become alarmingly common, with U.N. peacekeeping missions failing to curb the bloodshed over more than a decade.
But El Salvador’s rapid military deployment has upended the status quo. Bukele’s forces reportedly destroyed the 400 Mawozo gang’s headquarters, sending members fleeing without resistance. Meanwhile, Haitian civilians have taken to the streets in rare celebrations, praising the Salvadoran intervention.
From ‘War’ to ‘Peace’—A Tactical Retreat?
Now, the same gangs that once boasted of their unchecked power are scrambling for a lifeline. The 400 Mawozo released a statement—complete with U.N.-style diplomatic language—calling for ‘peace, stability, and national reconciliation.’ Barbecue, a warlord accused of horrific atrocities, has echoed these appeals.
Critics argue the sudden interest in negotiations is a calculated stall tactic. Bukele himself appears unmoved, dismissing any deals that could allow gangs to regroup. His stance has won praise from Haitians desperate for security and frustration with years of ineffective foreign interventions.
The Bukele Factor
The Salvadoran president, who crushed his country’s own gangs through aggressive policing, has positioned himself as the hemisphere’s unofficial enforcer. After Haitian gangs kidnapped four Salvadorans—possibly killing them—Bukele publicly demanded their return before launching operations.
His refusal to compromise has drawn contrasts with the U.N.’s perpetual peacekeeping deadlock. Viral footage shows Haitians chanting Bukele’s name, a rare show of enthusiasm for foreign forces in a country long skeptical of outside interference.
Whether these operations can deliver lasting stability remains uncertain. But for now, Haiti’s gangs—accustomed to impunity—are learning the hard way what happens when Bukele decides enough is enough.
Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/11/el-salvador-s-troops-pound-haiti-s-gangs-and-gangsters-including-barbecue-suddenly-want-to-talk-peace/