Haiti

US Indicts Haitian Gang Leader Over Kidnapping

MAY 11 2022·Updated JAN 2 2023

Story

Image credit: Police Nationale d'Haiti/ Facebo [via New York Post]

The Facts

The U.S. Dept. of Justice on Tues. announced the indictment of a Haitian gang leader for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a group of Christian missionaries last year.
Al Jazeera
16 Americans and one Canadian - including five children and one infant - were abducted on Oct. 16, 2021 while returning from an orphanage east of Port-au-Prince. Their Haitian driver was also kidnapped.
Al Jazeera
Joly Germine, known as Yonyon, is a leader of the 400 Mawozo gang responsible for the kidnapping. He was extradited to the US last week to face unrelated weapons trafficking charges after being held by the Haitian National Police since 2018.
CBS News
The indictment alleges that Germine directed the kidnapping from prison and took part in ransom negotiations, with one of the goals being to secure his own release.
New York Post
400 Mawozo demanded $1M for each captive. Two hostages were released in Nov., and three in early Dec., while the rest escaped later that month. It's unclear if a ransom was paid.
CBS News
The ongoing problem of Haiti's gang violence has increased since the assassination of Pres. Jovenel Moïse in July, with parts of the country no longer under government control.
Forbes Advocate

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The indictment of a leader of one of the most prominent and dangerous Haitian gangs demonstrates the relentless effort of the US to protect its citizens abroad, and hold criminals like Germine accountable. This is a win for the Justice Department.

nytimes

Establishment-critical narrative

Despite its considerable influence, the US has yet to mount a concerted, diplomatic push to address the mayhem in Haiti that has resulted from the absence of a legitimate government. While Germine's indictment is a positive step, it's no substitute for vigorous US policy.