Abducted Christian missionaries had escaped on their own

The US Christian missionaries who were abducted in October were initially thought to have been freed by the Haitian gang holding them captive. New information states the twelve missionaries had in fact escaped.

The gang 400 Mawozo had freed about five of the hostages since a few weeks back. With two being released in November.

Christian Aid Ministries, an Ohio-based Church organization, announced that the 12 remaining missionaries who were held captive had in fact escaped from the gang’s clutches.

When the time was right, the group found a way to open the door, and managed to sneak past some guard patrols. They ended up walking 10 miles through thick bushes and thorns in order to find freedom.

The group had used stars to navigate through the darkness and towards the mountain they had seen through constellations.

The group of 12 included five men and three women, along with 4 children aged 10 months to 15 years.

The Christian Aid Ministries said the children remained quiet throughout the nerve-racking escape. At dawn, while still within the gang’s territory they managed to find a person with a cellphone who helped them call the authorities.

Most of the victims have returned to their families after they were flown to Florida by the US Coast Guard.

The Church Organization did not mentioned whether any ransoms were paid for the prior releases. The 400 Mawozo had demanded a ransom of a million dollars for the release of each captive.

The gang had provided baby formula to the infant and the victims were provided with food and clean drinking water.

Soon after their abduction, the gang’s leader had threatened to “put a bullet in the heads of these Americans.” The group had remained in a 24-hour prayer while they were being held.

They had also warned the gang leader of God’s judgement for his gang’s actions.

How were they abducted?

The Missionaries were abducted while they were returning to Port-au-Prince after visiting an orphanage outside the government-controlled area.

The group of 17 included 16 Americans and one Canadian. 12 were adults – 7 being women.

Since the Haitian government barely has control left over the country. Foreign aid workers are usually at the mercy of the dozens of gangs controlling the areas outside the major cities.

Who are the 400 Mawozo?

The 400 Mawozo is one of the countless gangs in Haiti who are the de facto rulers of the country.

The gang is notorious for its abductions of international aid workers there to help those in need. Since going outside the capital is considered a death sentence for government officials, it is easy for the gangs to abduct anyone who is going through their region(s).

The Haiti Paradox

Haiti is infamous for having one of the World’s highest abduction rates. Since their President’s assassination the gangs have gained strength and their no-go areas are now well established.

The Haitian authorities that have no control over the outer districts are now trapped inside the major cities where they are slowly losing grip because of the political instability.

Many Haitians have also urged the US to send in troops to wipe out the gangs. Their Prime Minister has lost public support after he was accused of getting the President assassinated. An allegation which he denies.

Haitian Prime Minister Henry fired the country’s chief public prosecutor. Many are calling it an attempt to get away with the murder as the public prosecutor had called on Henry to be charged.

Haitians are being provided with humanitarian aid by countries and many non-profit organizations throughout the World.

The safety of aid workers has raised a lot of eyebrows on the government’s control over the country. If even aid workers are unsafe then not only is the government corrupt but also nonexistent.

The US has learned that if the people are unwilling to bring change then it can do nothing to help. The Haitians calling for the US to send troops are themselves doing nothing to bring change. Yet when the US would leave after establishing a new form of government, they would only curse it.

October 22, 2021 – The Conservative.