Port-au-Prince: US officials work with Haiti authorities to try to secure 12 adults and five children with a US-based missionary group that was kidnapped during the weekend by gangs famous for murder, kidnapping, and extortion.
The group was taken by the 400 Mawozo gang, which controlled the Croix-des-Bouquets area in the eastern capital of Port-au-Prince, Police Inspector Frantz Champagne told the Associated Press on Sunday.
Kidnapping occurred on Saturday in the Ganthier community, located in the gang area.
It was blamed for kidnapping five priests and two nuns earlier this year.
When the authorities seek the release of 16 Americans and one Canada with the Ministry of Christian aid based in Ohio, regional trade unions and other organizations are expected to launch an attack on Monday to protest the lack of deteriorating Haitian security.
The Western Bumi’s Western nation again struggled with a surge in the kidnapping related gang that had diminished in recent months, after President Jovenel Moïse was shot fatally at his personal residence on July 7 and 7.2 earthquake which killed more than 2,200 people in August.
“Everyone is worried.
They kidnap from all social classes,” Méhu Changux, president of the owner’s owner and driver association, told Magik9 radio station.
He said the termination of work will continue until the government can guarantee people’s safety.
Kidnapping the missionaries came only a few days after US officials visited Haiti and promised more resources for Haiti National Police, including $ 15 million to help reduce gang violence, which this year has fled thousands of Haitians who now live in temporary shelters The condition is increasingly unhygienic.
The US Foreign Ministry said the week that it was in regular contact with the Haitian senior authority and would continue to work with them and partners between institutions.
“The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said the agency in a statement.
The Christian assistance minister said the kidnapping group covers seven women, five men and five children, including a 2 year old child.
Organizations said they were taken while on the way to visit the orphanage.
“Join us in praying for those who are held hostage, the kidnappers and families, friends and churches affected,” said Ministries Aid Christian in a statement.
“As an organization, we do this situation to God and trust him to see us.” The annual report released last year by Ministries Aid Christian said his staff had returned to their base in Haiti after missing nine months of “due to political riots” and recorded the “uncertainty and difficulty” that emerged from the instability.
Nearly a year ago, Haiti’s police issued a poster sought for alleged 400 Mawozo Gang leader, Wilson Joseph, with allegations including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, car theft carrying goods.
He left with the nickname “Lanmò Sanjou,” which means “death doesn’t know the coming day.” In the midst of a surge in the surge in kidnapping, the gang has demanded a ransom ranging from several hundred dollars to more than $ 1 million, sometimes killing those they had awkwardly, according to the authorities.
At least 328 kidnapping was reported to the Haiti National Police in the first eight months of 2021, compared to a total of 234 for all 2020, said the report last month by the UN integrated office in Haiti.
Geng was accused of kidnapping school children, doctors, police officers, passenger buses and others when they grew stronger.
In April, a man who claimed to be the leader of 400 Mawozo told the radio station that it was responsible for kidnapping five priests, two nuns and three relatives of one of the priests of the month.
They were then released.
Spike in the kidnapping and violence related gang has forced Haiti to take a detour around the area controlled by certain gangs while others choose to stay at home, which in turn means less money for people like Charles Pierre, a moto taxi driver at Port-au-Prince has several children to be fed.
“People don’t go out on the streets,” he said.
“We can’t find people to be transported.”