(Port-au-Prince) Two hostages among a group of 17 North American missionaries and their relatives kidnapped near the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, have been released, announced Sunday the American church to which they belong.
“Only limited information can be provided, but we are able to indicate that the two hostages who have been released are safe and sound, in good spirits and in care,” said the religious organization Christian Aid Ministries in a press release published on its website.
The group, 16 Americans and a Canadian, was kidnapped on October 16 after visiting an orphanage in the heart of the area under the control of one of Haiti’s main gangs.
Based in the US state of Ohio, the organization Christian Aid Ministries said the group consisted of 12 adults, aged between 18 and 48, and five children aged 8 months, 3, 6, 13 and 15 years old.
“We cannot provide or confirm the names of those released, the conditions of their release, their origin or their current location,” the church said on Sunday, asking for discretion from those with knowledge of these details.
“Proof of life”
Members of the “400 mawozo” gang, who kidnapped these 17 people, claimed one million dollars per person held captive, according to information gathered by AFP.
In a video posted at the end of October on social networks, the leader of this armed gang threatened to execute the hostages.
A few days later, the Haitian police announced “having received proof of life from all the hostages”.
Several FBI agents collaborate with the Haitian authorities and the national police anti-kidnapping cell, which has been negotiating with the kidnappers for more than a month.
Haiti is classified as a country in the red zone by the United States which advises its nationals not to go there, in particular because of the numerous kidnappings of which “the victims regularly include American citizens”.
Last week, the United States and Canada also recommended that their nationals living in Haiti plan to leave the country where armed gangs are expanding their control, causing a severe fuel shortage.
Armed gangs have committed more than 800 kidnappings for ransom since the start of the year, according to the Center for Human Rights Analysis and Research, based in Port-au-Prince.
In April, ten people including two French religious had been kidnapped for 20 days by this gang in the same region.