What's happening in El Salvador today
Today's brief in English: the fact-checked stories from today's edition and the latest official posts, each linked to the full story.
Rebel Bites
Theresa Ejiro EfiakpovworeBukele says Salvadoran helicopters repelled a gang attack on Chadian soldiers in Haiti
President Nayib Bukele said on X on Tuesday night that Salvadoran forces deployed in Haiti came to the aid of Chadian soldiers from the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) who were under attack by gangs, and that they repelled the attackers with attack helicopters. "The gangs no longer have the upper hand," he wrote. Diario La Página and Infobae reported the announcement. According to La Página, a helicopter patrolled over the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets at 6:16 p.m., where gunfire was heard. El Salvador has more than 2,000 soldiers in Haiti searching for four Salvadoran aviation technicians missing since October 18.
Bukele sends a message in Creole to the Haitian people: "Haiti will be free"
President Nayib Bukele posted a message in Haitian Creole on X addressed to the people of Haiti. In it he recalled Jean-Jacques Dessalines, leader of Haiti's independence, and compared those who betrayed him with those who today are gang members, finance gangs or give them weapons. Bukele said El Salvador can help Haitians defeat them, but that it is not an invader. According to the Presidential Press Secretariat, he said: "We are on the same side as you. We will help you take back the country from the hands of the traitors who betray Dessalines' legacy. And, finally, Haiti will be free" (our translation). Diario La Página and elsalvador.com published the message.
The PNC reports zero homicides on Tuesday, November 3
According to the National Civil Police (PNC), Tuesday, November 3, ended with 0 homicides in the country. The Presidential Press Secretariat said "El Salvador recorded no homicides nationwide on Tuesday, November 3" (our translation) and credited the security work of President Nayib Bukele's government. It is the third day in a row with zero homicides according to the PNC, which also reported 0 on Sunday, November 1, and Monday, November 2. The figures are the government's.
The UN says most of the additional Salvadoran troops in Haiti are not part of the GSF
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said that "the vast majority of these personnel are not deployed under the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and therefore fall outside the scope and reporting of the United Nations Support Office" (our translation), as reported by elsalvador.com. The UN did not say how many Salvadoran soldiers belong to each group. The spokesman repeated that all security operations in Haiti, inside or outside the GSF, must comply with international law. Diario Co Latino also reported the clarification, in a piece critical of the Salvadoran deployment.
The first lady signs a memorandum with Cambridge University Press & Assessment on early childhood education
First lady Gabriela de Bukele signed a memorandum of understanding with Cambridge University Press & Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge, to consolidate the early childhood education model, according to the Press Secretariat, Diario La Página, Diario El Mundo and Infobae. According to Diario El Mundo, the agreement was signed in Cambridge, England. The memorandum sets three priorities: researching the impact of the National Play Strategy on children's learning and socio-emotional well-being, ensuring the transition from first to second grade, and moving toward formal academic recognition of the New National Curriculum. "This collaboration with one of the most prestigious universities in the world is a great opportunity to continue improving our children's education" (our translation), the first lady said, according to the Press Secretariat.
The Education Ministry starts training 5,000 principals of early childhood schools
The Education Ministry began a training program for 5,000 principals of schools that serve early childhood students, elsalvador.com and Infobae reported. The training aims to prepare principals to implement the National Early Childhood Curriculum. The program is organized in two cohorts of about 2,500 participants each. According to elsalvador.com, the launch took place at seven venues with principals from all 14 departments.
PAHO recognizes El Salvador's progress toward eliminating HIV and tuberculosis
A technical mission by the Ministry of Health with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) assessed the country's response to HIV and tuberculosis from October 5 to 9, PAHO reported. Teams from the Ministry of Health, the ISSS social security institute, the General Directorate of Prisons and PAHO specialists took part. According to PAHO, the team recognized progress in preventing and controlling both diseases, especially in tuberculosis diagnosis and HIV treatment, and identified challenges that will be used to draw up a roadmap. elsalvador.com also reported on the assessment.
Today's official posts
- Press Secretariat: The Press Secretariat highlights that there were no homicides in the country on Tuesday, November 3, according to the PNC
- PNC: Tuesday, November 3, ended with 0 homicides in the country
- Press Secretariat: The Press Secretariat says security has drawn more international visitors to the country
- Press Secretariat: The first lady announces a memorandum with the University of Cambridge on early childhood education
- Press Secretariat: The Press Secretariat summarizes in Spanish Bukele's message to the Haitian people
- Bukele: Posts a message in Haitian Creole comparing those who back the gangs with Dessalines' traitors and promising to help Haiti
- Press Secretariat: The Press Secretariat reports that Salvadoran forces in Haiti used helicopters to support Chadian soldiers attacked by gangs
- Bukele: Says in English that Salvadoran helicopters repelled a gang attack on Chadian GSF soldiers
- Press Secretariat: The Press Secretariat announces that ESIT's 2027 admissions call for technology programs is open
- PNC: Shows patrols in remote areas of the country under the Territorial Control Plan