Haiti: All US & Canadian hostages are now safe

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Haitian gang has released the remaining 12 United States and Canadian missionaries hostages, who were earlier abducted in the month of October. The news has been confirmed by the Justice Minister.  

400 Mawozo is the gang behind this kidnapping, who initially released two hostages, followed by three others. 

No information or either identity has been released by the Christian Aid Ministries (a church group based in the US state of Ohio) amid security reasons. The gang earlier demanded a ransom amount of total 17 million in return to release hostages. As per the sources, the ransom amount has been paid to the abductors. 

“We glorify God for answered prayer – the remaining twelve hostages are free. Join us in praising God that all 17 of our loved ones are now safe”, the organisation stated while expressing joy over the release of hostages. 

FBI agents, Haitian authorities and the anti-kidnapping unit of the national police were the ones who have been negotiating with the powerful Haitian gang since October.  

Among the hostages were men, women and small children too, who were kidnapped on October 16, 2021, while driving through the suburb of Croix des Bouquets, just outside of the capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, as they returned after paying a visit to the orphanage. 

Additionally, as per the data revealed in the report of the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH), hundreds of people have been kidnapped in Haiti since the beginning of this year only. 

To tackle the rising kidnappings, gang-violence, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in his earlier address, promised to eliminate crime from the island, noting that the government is making every effort to deal with the challenge. 

Earlier this week only, more than 60 individuals lost their lives in a tragic incident where a fuel tanker exploded in Haiti.