Powerful Haitian gang leader writes UN seeking dialogue as clashes intensify

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- One of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders has written the U.N. Secretary General and requested that the organization deploy a delegation to Haiti for dialogue and mediation amid fears that Salvadoran troops deployed after the disappearance of aviation technicians from that country could escalate violence.Wilson Joseph, best known as Lanmò Sanjou and leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, sent the letter on Monday, and the U.N. has received it, a source who wasn't authorized to discuss the situation confirmed. The letter calls 400 Mawozo a “rebel group” and was sent from Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, where a group of four Salvadoran aviation technicians were attacked on Oct. 18 and remain missing.The incident prompted El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, to deploy more than 2,000 troops to Haiti.In his letter, Joseph wrote: “Given Mr. Nayib Bukele’s vengeful remarks, expectations, and threats, I fear this situation will lead to an escalation of violence and a logic of reprisals, of which the Haitian people would be the first victims.”Joseph asserted that recent events in Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, especially where another gang, Chen Mechan, operates, “are causing serious conce...