Four kidnapped religious men and a teacher released in Haiti

By Lisa Zengarini

With Haiti in a state of emergency and gang violence threatening to bring down the government, the Haitian province of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart announced Monday that five of the seven people kidnapped just over two weeks in Port-au-Prince – Prince was released by his captors.

Two Brothers of the Sacred Heart still detained

Among them are four members of the Religious Congregation and a teacher. “The fight is not over, as brothers Pierre Isaac Valmeus and Adam Montclaison Marius are still held captive,” says a press release shared with SIR news agency.

The seven were kidnapped by an armed group on February 23 while on their way to the Jean XXIII school in the gang-controlled Bicentenaire district of downtown Port-au-Prince, where they work. The Congregation reported that a ransom demand had been made.

Pick up adding to the long series of kidnappings which have become the main activity of the criminal gangs which control large parts of the country and most of the capital.

Gang warfare has increased significantly in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. This assassination has worsened criminal control in the country and today, innocent citizens are regularly killed, raped and held for ransom.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry still in Puerto Rico

The Caribbean country plunged further into chaos last week after armed groups released thousands of prison inmates on March 3, while Prime Minister Ariel Henry was in Nairobi, Kenya, to seek an agreement for a long-delayed, UN-backed mission to restore the country. order and security.

Despite the declaration of a state of emergency, the gangs further intensified their attacks on police stations and other government institutions, as well as hospitals, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Henry.

Henry is still in Puerto Rico and prevented from landing in Port-au-Prince by gangs who have taken over Haiti's international airports.

Faced with the worsening situation, the United States decided to airlift non-essential staff from the country's embassy and added American forces to reinforce embassy security, and the delegation of European Union in Haiti has also temporarily closed its offices and reduced its presence in Haiti. the country at least.

CARICOM meeting in Jamaica to discuss Haiti crisis

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders meet Monday in Jamaica to discuss a political transition in Haiti through the creation of an independent, broad-based presidential college, as well as the deployment of a multinational security mission . US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also participating in the talks.

Pope Francis' concern for Haiti

Pope Francis is following with concern the latest developments in the situation in Haiti. During Sunday's Angelus, he expressed his closeness to the local Church and to all the Haitian people who have suffered for years. He called on everyone to pray for the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to put an end to all violence. He also encouraged everyone to offer their contribution so that peace and reconciliation can prevail with the support of the international community.