Haiti kidnapping: 400 Mawozo gang behind abduction of 17 US and Canadian missionaries, security source says

As soon as infamous for automotive theft, the 400 Mawozo has pioneered “collective” kidnappings of enormous teams of victims from buses and vehicles, in accordance with the Heart for Evaluation and Analysis for Human Rights (CARDH), a Port-au-Prince-based nonprofit.

A lot of the rise in kidnappings in Haiti is because of the 400 Mawozo, in accordance with CARDH. Gang members interact in close to day by day confrontations with Haitian police and even tax native companies.

In September, the gang kidnapped “a number of” truck drivers from the Dominican Republic, and proceed to carry them hostage amid negotiations for his or her launch, the Haitian safety drive supply mentioned.

These ongoing negotiations are factoring into authorities’ selections about the way to proceed with the kidnapped American and Canadian missionaries, the supply added.

At the very least 628 kidnappings have taken place since January, together with of 29 foreigners, in accordance with information launched by the middle. The 400 Mawozo has sometimes demanded ransoms of round $20,000, it mentioned.

Investigation ongoing

Ohio-based Christian Help Ministries launched a press release on Sunday confirming the kidnapping of the missionaries and mentioned the kidnapped group was made up of 5 males, seven ladies and 5 kids.

“We’re looking for God’s path for a decision, and authorities are looking for methods to assist,” the assertion mentioned.

Dan Hooley, a former subject director for Christian Help Ministries in Haiti, advised CNN on Sunday that the entire kidnapped missionaries are believed to have been in a single car, and that some have been in a position to contact the group’s native director earlier than they have been taken.

The abductors have additionally already made contact with the group, he mentioned.

“A few fellows straight away messaged the director and advised him what was happening. And one in all them was in a position to drop a pin, and that is the very last thing (the group) heard till the abductors contacted them later within the day,” Hooley mentioned.

Haitian officers are in contact with the US State Division in regards to the kidnapping, the nation’s international minister, Claude Joseph, advised CNN.

One of many kidnapped missionaries, an American citizen, additionally posted a name for assist in a WhatsApp group because the kidnapping was occurring, The Washington Submit reported, quoting an individual conversant in the kidnapping who spoke on the situation of anonymity.

“Please pray for us!! We’re being held hostage, they kidnapped our driver. Pray pray pray. We do not know the place they’re taking us,” the message mentioned.

It’s unclear whether or not the message was a video or a textual content despatched to the WhatsApp group, and there’s no info on the WhatsApp group itself within the Washington Submit’s reporting.

CNN can’t independently confirm the authenticity of this message or the report.

A spokesperson for the US State Division mentioned late Saturday it was conscious of the stories, and that “the welfare and security of US residents overseas is without doubt one of the highest priorities of the Division of State.”

In response to a senior US official conversant in the scenario, the FBI and State Division officers have no idea the present location of the kidnapped missionaries.

Canadian officers are additionally working with native authorities and “implicated NGOs” to assemble info, a spokeswoman for International Affairs Canada advised CNN.

CNN has reached out to the Haitian Justice Ministry and the Nationwide Police however they haven’t but commented.

Indiscriminate kidnappings

Former subject director for Christian Help Ministries Hooley mentioned the members of the group would have been conscious of the dangers they have been taking.

“These are very devoted individuals, those that have risked their lives, they knew the hazards that they have been in, or no less than have been conscious of what may occur, I am certain,” he mentioned.

Hooley added that he knew a number of of the victims personally. “Two of them are single fellas. One was down there for some time, the opposite one is a pal of ours who simply flew in on Friday, and was planning to assist out with the Haiti earthquake, the scenario down there within the south.”

“After which there is a younger couple there — a younger couple with two kids that have been additionally kidnapped. We lived together with her (the mom) in Oregon, and knew her household very effectively,” Hooley mentioned.

Kidnapping in Haiti is commonly indiscriminate, with each wealthy and poor residents focused. A number of kidnapping victims and their households beforehand advised CNN that they have been nonetheless working to repay money owed, after borrowing cash from mates, employers and even banks to pay ransoms.

In a case that has develop into infamous throughout the nation, a 5-year-old woman was reportedly discovered lifeless early this yr with indicators of strangulation. Her mom, a peanut vendor, advised Reuters she had been unable to give you the equal of $4,000 for ransom.

Simply earlier than the missionaries’ abduction, a Haitian transportation union had referred to as for an indefinite strike beginning Monday to protest the spike in kidnappings, amongst different points.

“We name on the federal government to place an finish to the kidnappings and supply us security or for them to resign instantly. We’re essentially the most victims; the transportation sector is a straightforward goal for kidnappers everywhere in the nation,” Méhu Changeux, president of the Affiliation of Homeowners and Drivers of Haiti, advised CNN on Sunday.

“We misplaced many members to the insecurity and dozens of members have been kidnapped. The most recent tragedy of the kidnapping of the American missionaries reveals nobody is secure on this nation,” Changeux mentioned.