Wilson Joseph, alias "Lanmò San Jou", head of the Haitian criminal gang 400 Mawozo, requested the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, to send an international delegation to mediate a peace dialogue in Haiti amid escalating clashes following the deployment of Salvadoran troops to search for four missing soldiers.
The request is outlined in a two-page letter dated November 1, 2026, in Croix-des-Bouquets, and released by Haitian media.
Joseph confirmed his authorship to Associated Press (AP), while the United Nations confirmed that it had received the document but clarified that this does not imply recognition of the sender nor endorsement of its content, as revealed by Europa Press.
The call for dialogue and the warnings to Bukele
In the letter, Joseph states that since August 20, he had expressed his willingness to seek a negotiated solution to the Haitian crisis.
"Since August 20, 2026, the date on which I officially raised the white flag, I have expressed my commitment to a peaceful solution to the national crisis, specifically through the opening of a dialogue between the international forces present in Haiti and the group 400 Mawozo," the document states.
The gang leader, who presents his organization as a "rebel group," expresses his concern about the military operations in Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, especially in the area where the Chen Mechan gang, led by Claudy Celestin, operates.
Joseph directly questions the statements made by the Salvadoran president, Nayib Bukele, who ordered the deployment of more than 2,000 soldiers in Haiti to search for four Salvadoran aviation technicians who went missing following an attack that occurred on October 18 in Croix-des-Bouquets.
“Given the statements, expectations, and threats of retaliation from Mr. Nayib Bukele, I fear that this situation will lead to an escalation of violence and a cycle of reprisals of which the Haitian population would be the first victims,” Joseph states in the letter.
The document reports that the clashes are affecting the civilian population, including pregnant women and minors.
Joseph mentions the case of an eight-year-old girl who, according to his account, was shot in the head. The letter does not provide independent evidence to verify this incident.
"Our country, already deeply affected by insecurity and poverty, needs dialogue, justice, and reconciliation, not more human losses.", he states.
He subsequently specifically requested "the dispatch of a United Nations delegation to Haiti to facilitate a process of dialogue and mediation between the parties involved."
Joseph claims to be "officially available" to receive that delegation and participate in meetings aimed at a peaceful solution, a dialogue agreement, and a lasting stabilization process.
"I remain convinced that the weapon of dialogue must prevail over that of weapons. The protection of civilians, particularly children and vulnerable families, must be at the heart of any international initiative," concludes the letter.
The communication includes among its recipients in copy the Organization of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
Joseph claims that the four Salvadorans are dead, but he provides no evidence
In statements to Associated Press, Joseph asserted that the four missing Salvadoran aviation technicians are dead and that the attack on October 18 took place in the territory of the Chen Mechan gang.
However, he did not present any evidence to support that claim.
The Haitian government has stated that the four Salvadorans were kidnapped, while the authorities in El Salvador believe they are still alive.
Joseph also stated that he was willing to participate in peace talks and hand over weapons, although he avoided specifying what conditions he would propose in exchange.
According to what he explained to AP, he would discuss that matter when he met with a peace commission.
The leader of 400 Mawozo also reported that drone attacks during security operations are causing civilian casualties, including children and the elderly.
He also rejected the accusations that his organization has murdered innocent Haitians.
The statements come after Bukele denied that the Salvadoran military operation constitutes an invasion, and warned that his forces would act decisively to locate the missing individuals.
The UN confirms the letter but does not recognize the gang leader
The spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Stéphane Dujarric, confirmed that the organization received a letter signed by Joseph, but made it clear that its receipt does not constitute endorsement of its content, recognition of the author, or an official position of the UN regarding the request.
Dujarric expressed the United Nations' concern over the consequences of the violence on Haitian communities and reminded that all security operations must be conducted in accordance with applicable international law.
Regarding the Salvadoran deployment, he specified that the vast majority of those soldiers do not operate within the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), supported by the United Nations, and therefore fall outside the mandate and information mechanisms of the organization related to that force.
According to data from the UN cited by AP, more than 5,700 people died or were injured in Haiti between January and mid-September 2026 as a result of the violence affecting the country.
Who is Lanmò San Jou, the leader of 400 Mawozo wanted by the FBI?
Wilson Joseph, known as Lanmò San Jou, leads 400 Mawozo, a criminal gang with a strong presence in Croix-des-Bouquets, on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, involved in kidnappings, extortion, and arms trafficking.
The FBI keeps him on its list of wanted fugitives for the crimes of conspiracy to take hostages and hostage-taking.
The United States Department of State offers a reward of up to one million dollars for information leading to their arrest or conviction.
The U.S. justice system accuses him of his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of 17 Christian missionaries in Haiti in October 2021, including five minors.
According to the FBI, most of the victims were held captive for 61 days while the gang demanded ransom payments.
Joseph has also been listed since December 2023 on the United Nations Security Council sanctions list for his direct responsibility or through orders to members of his organization in serious human rights abuses and other crimes.
The UN sanctions record documents the involvement of 400 Mawozo in kidnappings, attacks against civilians, sexual violence, recruitment of minors, and obstruction of humanitarian aid, as well as activities related to arms and ammunition trafficking.
The mediation request from Joseph arrives as search operations continue for the four missing Salvadorans and clashes between security forces and armed groups in Plaine du Cul-de-Sac.
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