On Sunday 11 April, seven members of the Haitian clergy were believed to have been kidnapped by the ‘400 Mawozo’ gang.
The armed gang abducted five priests and two nuns in the Port-au-Prince province in demand for ransom.
It is expected that the actions of these gangs account for Haiti’s extensive political instability and inaction.
Kidnappings of civilians have become increasingly common in Haiti, with figures suggesting abductions have risen by 200% over the year.
The demand for precisely one million ransom (equivalent to £727,000 in GDP) is deemed to be the cause of their abduction.
Until recently, the government response was largely inactive. However, Haiti’s President, Moise, says he will “do everything the law allows” to help release those captured.
There are now plans to hold a referendum in June where the crisis is loosened.
Charlotte Smith
Featured image courtesy of Adam McLane on Flickr. Image license can be found here. No changes have been made to this image.