El Salvador President Nayib Bukele released a video showing military forces using robotic dogs mounted with rifles in an operation to reclaim Sylvio Cator Stadium in Haiti from gang control.
According to a bilateral agreement between the Haitian government and the government of El Salvador, a joint operation involving the Haitian National Police, the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd’H), the Task Force and the Salvadoran Special Forces successfully took control of Sylvio Cator Stadium and secured it, Bukele wrote on X in a translation from Haitian Creole.
The footage depicted the robots navigating a hallway and ascending a set of stairs while carrying their rifle payloads.
Salvadoran‑backed assault neutralizes Haiti gang stronghold in stadium raid
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele released footage Thursday showing military forces using robotic dogs mounted with rifles in an operation to take back a stadium in Haiti from gang control. (Nayib Bukele/X)
It’s unclear exactly how the robots assisted in the Port‑au‑Prince operation.
Bukele said “several human skulls” were found inside the stadium during the operation.
Gang violence recounted: Republican highlights horrific stories from Haiti
The video captured a robot climbing up a set of stairs. (Nayib Bukele/X)
“We will now establish an operational base at the stadium so we can continue advancing deeper into territory controlled by the gangs,” he said. “We now have the upper hand on the ground.”
Bukele demanded that gang members leave the area before the offensive began.
Trump’s regional defense initiative could aid against cartels
Bukele didn’t elaborate on how the robots assisted in the stadium operation. (Nayib Bukele/X)
“Those who choose to stay and fight our forces will have to face the consequences,” he said.
Cracking down on gangs has been a hallmark of Bukele’s presidency since he took office in 2019.