The leader of the Haitian gang that kidnapped 17 American and Canadian missionaries last Saturday is threatening to execute them if the US$17 million ransom is not paid.
In a video message being circulated here, Wilson Joseph, says if he doesn’t get what needs “I’ll kill these Americans”.
Earlier this week, Justice and Interior Minister, Liszt Quitel, said the kidnappers want one million per person released, “which equates to US$17 million for all hostages”.
Media reports here said that the gang “400 mawozo” had carried out the kidnapping of the foreigners, including four children, ages between eight months old to 15 years, last Saturday as they travelled by bus on the road to Ganthier.
Quitel said that the FBI and the Haitian National Police (PNH) were negotiating with the kidnappers and trying to obtain the release of the 16 American and one Canadian hostages.
But in the video message Joseph, a leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, said those who haven’t “paid the bills yet” need to finish doing so
“I swear by thunder that if I don’t get what I’m asking for, I will put a bullet in the heads of these Americans,” said Joseph, who in the video is seen surrounded by a crowd of people during what appears to be a funeral procession.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who confirmed the appointment of the inspector general, Frantz Elbé as the Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), following the resignation of Léon Charles, urged the new chief to restore peace in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) government.
“We would like public peace to be restored, that we return to normal life and that we find the way to democracy. Finally, we would like to organize elections. We wish the new acting DG good work and success,” Prime Minister Henry said.
For his part, Elbé said he is committed to dealing with the crime situation in the country and has promised to “strengthen security devices throughout the country, especially in the metropolitan area in order to prevent cases of kidnapping, prevent thugs from committing their crimes”.
The Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) in a statement said that it wanted to inform the public that it is not involved in any operation or financial mechanism aimed at paying ransom for hostages.
In the video, Joseph, addressed both Prime Minister Henry and the former police chief, saying “you guys make me cry.
“But I’m going to make you guys cry blood. If demands are not met. By killing five of my soldiers doesn’t mean he’s going to destroy my army. I swear by thunder that if I don’t get what I’m asking for, I will put a bullet in the heads of these Americans,” Joseph said as the video shows several coffins, presumably with the corpses of the five gang members.
Meanwhile, the prosecution of Port-au-Prince has issued warrants against Jimmy Chérisier aka “Barbecue” and Dorisca Robert and Busta John for attempted murder, criminal conspiracy and attack on government officials on October 17 as Prime Minister Henry “deposited…a floral offering” at a ceremony marking the 125th anniversary of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
But video recordings showed that Henry and other government ministers were forced to retreat after they came under gunfire from a gang on Sunday..
The video recording published on social media and other platforms show armed security officials hurrying government and other officials out of the area as gun shots could be heard.
The video also showed former policeman, Chérizier, the reputed leader of the Gang “G9” dressed in white and surrounded by many hooded and heavily armed men attending the ceremony.
Media reports said that Chérizier had earlier announced that the government officials would not be allowed to enter in Pont-Rouge on October 17.
The video showed him smiling as he and his followers went to the Emperor’s monument, where he placed his floral offering. They also carried a photo of President Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated at his private residence on July 7.
Source-CMC
