The United States will “do everything” to free 17 North Americans abducted by a mob in Haiti. This was stated by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of $ 17 million.
During his visit to Ecuador, Blingen said, “We are constantly focusing on this case.” “We will do everything we can to resolve the situation.” He also says the FBI’s federal police team is working on the file.
“Unfortunately, this is a sign of a bigger problem. The security situation is simply unacceptable,” Blingen said in Haiti.
Negotiations
Seventeen – sixteen U.S. citizens and a Canadian – were abducted on Saturday after visiting an orphanage in the Croix-des-Pockets suburb of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The mob, known as the 400 Maoists, has now demanded a $ 1 million ransom for each of them, for a total of $ 17 million.
The Haitian justice minister said on Tuesday that talks with the kidnappers were ongoing.
More than 600 abductions already
Armed gangs that have for years controlled the poorer parts of Port-au-Prince have expanded their sphere of operation to other parts of the capital and its environs. According to the Center d’Analyse et de Recherche en Droits Humains in Port-au-Prince, more than 600 hijackings were recorded in the first three quarters of this year, up from 231 in the same period in 2020.
A deep political crisis has paralyzed the socio-economic development of Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, for years. The July 7 assassination of President Jovnell Moyes has sparked chaos and instability in the Caribbean.
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