Two Christian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti released

Two of the 17 Christian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti in October have been freed. One of the hostages is Canadian and the others are Americans. They were kidnapped in the country by a gang known as the "Mavuzo 400".

Haitian police have confirmed that two of the 17 Christian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti last month have been released.

The group was kidnapped in mid-October this year by a criminal gang called “Mawuzu 400.” The gang demanded a ransom of $1 million for each person.

A man who identified himself as the gang leader said in a video posted on YouTube last month that he would kill the kidnapped people if his demands were not met. It is not yet clear whether a ransom was paid.

The hostages are 12 adults and five children, all but one Canadian, from the United States. The Christian Aid Society in America has not provided much information about the freed individuals.

"We can only provide limited information, the two released hostages are safe and in good condition. We are concerned about the 15 people still in custody," the organization said in a statement.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has been plagued by political chaos, violence, and insecurity for years. On July 6, President Jovenel Moise was shot in his residence.

Criminal gangs control large areas, especially around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Extortion and blackmail are on the rise. According to a UN report, the number of kidnappings in the country increased by 200 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Source: DW