US Christian missionaries abducted in Haiti

A group of US Christian missionaries along with their families have been kidnapped near Haiti’s Port-au-Prince.

An armed gang is reportedly behind the abduction which also includes children. Haiti’s police sources have told the media that over 14 people were taken off a bus when they were visiting an orphanage.

State Department officials are aware of the incident and are monitoring the situation.

The Americans abducted were Christian missionaries there to help people affected by the earthquake that killed over 2,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Haiti is known to house various gangs and has one of the highest numbers of kidnappings each year. Factions have strengthened since the Haitian President’s assassination in July.

With the lack of security and many Haitians fleeing the country, the gangs have a stable breeding ground to make money off of ransoms.

International aid workers there for a great cause are always at great risk as the gangs get an opportunity to abduct them and demand large ransoms.

The Christian missionaries are still in captivity, according to the AFP news agency. The Haitian authorities have not yet publicly commented on the incident.

Haitian authorities have no control over the outer districts, going to those regions is considered a death sentence for the government officials.

Many Haitians are asking the US to send troops into the country as violence is escalating with the ever-growing political crisis.

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry isn’t helping with his actions as well. Accused of getting the President assassinated, he has denied all allegations and instead fired the chief public prosecutor who had called for him to be charged.

Since then, PM Henry has also removed Haiti’s Justice Minister. His actions are further stirring political instability in the country already battling a massive humanitarian crisis.

Christian Aid Groups are urging the gang(s) involved in the abduction to do the right thing and free the aid workers who are there to help those in need.

We cant say how the gang(s) will respond but if they have asked for a ransom then they will want the money.