The local gang in Haiti that kidnapped a group of American and Canadian missionaries is asking for $17 million for their release. The gang, identified as a local group called the 400 Mawozo, told authorities they wanted $1 million for the release of each person.
Justice Minister Liszt Quitel said the group is now in direct contact with the FBI and Haitian police, who are negotiating for the release of the group. The missionaries, who had five children with them including an 8-month old baby, were abducted over the weekend just outside the capital of Port-au-Prince.
The group was reportedly on their way to Titanyen after having visited an orphanage in Croix des Bouquets when they were intercepted by a group of heavily armed men.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said U.S. President Joe Biden has already been briefed about the incident and the FBI will be doing everything it can to get the American missionaries back home.
Quitel said negotiations "could take weeks" as authorities are trying to convince the group to release the missionaries without paying any ransom. He added that giving the group money would only further empower them and allow them to purchase more guns and munitions.
The outcome authorities are aiming for would be the release of the prisoners through the payment of a minimal amount similar to the kidnapping incident in early April. The same group kidnapped a group of Catholic priests and nuns. The group eventually released the 10 victims with authorities only paying a small portion of the initial ransom demand.
Haitian authorities said they already know the whereabouts of the missionaries, who are members of the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries organization. The group is reportedly being held inside a safe house just outside Croix-des-Bouquets in a suburb controlled by the 400 Mawazo gang.
The latest kidnapping has sparked protests throughout the country, including a massive demonstration in Port-au-Prince. The protesters included members of the national transportation union, human rights groups, and private employees.
Since the start of the year, the frequency of kidnappings, often involving foreigners, aid workers, lawyers, and other high-profile individuals have skyrocketed. The Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights said there has been a total of 628 kidnappings since the start of the year, a huge increase from the 234 kidnappings recorded for the entire year last year.
