New developments in the case of the 16 American missionaries kidnapped in Haiti have left the United States government scrambling.
Kidnapping & Threats
The leader of 400 Mawozo, a notorious Haitian gang, has threatened to kill the hostages if his ransom demands, $1 million per hostage, are not met.
“I prefer that thunder burns me, if I don’t get what I need. You see those Americans, I will prefer to kill them and I will unload a big weapon to each of their heads. I mean what I said, that’s it.” the leader of the gang known as 400 Mawozo, Wilson Joseph, said in the video, according to The New York Times.
The missionary group, which is made up of 16 Americans and one Canadian, was kidnapped in an eastern suburb of the capital while on their way home from building an orphanage. The group also includes an 8 month old baby.
As they were traveling on a minibus, armed members of 400 Mawozo stopped the group and took them hostage.
Government Response
Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned by a reporter during a White House press briefing about the situation, asking how seriously the Biden administration was taking the situation and how they plan to respond to it.
In response, Jean-Pierre highlighted a statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said:
“First, with regard to the specific incident that you referred to, the kidnapping of missionaries, including 16 Americans, we have in the administration been relentlessly focused on this, including sending a team to Haiti from the State Department; working very closely with the FBI, which is the lead in these kinds of matters; in constant communication with the Haitian National Police, the church that the missionaries belong to, as well as to the Haitian Government. And we will do everything that we can to help resolve the situation.”
Jean-Pierre also highlighted a statement from Haiti’s security:
“We have been working closely with the Haitian National Police to try to build their capacity, as well as help put in place programs that can effectively deal with the gangs,” she said. “But it’s a very challenging and long-term process. We’re focused on it, but is it absolutely essential that this security dynamic change if Haiti is going to make real progress.”
The deputy press secretary then went on to say that, for privacy and security reasons, she was unable to provide more information at this time.
