Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe was shocked Monday at the surge in kidnapping cases in the country, calling the kidnapping of 12 people over the weekend a “catastrophe” the size of an “earthquake” week, including seven religious.
During a press conference, the leader stated that “yesterday was a dark day for the entire Haitian population. Twelve people were kidnapped.”
“We have realized that all segments of the population are victims,” he said, expressing his condolences to the Catholic Church, the Protestants and all sects that were victims of this crime, while denouncing the disrespect. stated that it has spawned in recent times. times towards religious.
Police have been ordered to identify the place where the kidnappers are hiding their victims in order to release them unconditionally and without delay, the official said, adding that authorities must take out the criminals.
A call to fight uncertainty
Hence the need for me to make a vivid appeal to all segments of the population, to all Haitian civil society, to organized groups, to those who practice religion, to those who are politically adept … power as in the opposition, I reach out to them to think together about what we are going to do with the country that reaches this level, ”said Jouthe.
The Haitian Prime Minister called for a common front between all sectors of national life to combat the growing insecurity in the country, characterized in particular by the increase in kidnapping, massacres and armed gang attacks.
“This appeal that I make to all sectors of national life is not a political appeal … I am addressing you, political parties, chambers of commerce, sects (Catholics, Protestants …). I ask for your help and support. I don’t know anyone who is not a victim of insecurity in Haiti, ”he stressed.
By this call, the Caribbean nation’s second president says he wants to speak to these sectors: “We have to sit down and discuss security. The stress is enough to kill the entire population,” he said.
In addition, he admitted that the Haitian government has some areas neglected by criminal activity, and while the Justice Department is working to increase the number of troops, the number is 15,000, when there should be 25,000.
This means that “the police are not present in every corner of the Republic”. “We are not satisfied with our performance within the government and at the police level. The government is aware” of the situation.
The kidnapping is targeted
The available information “leads us to believe the kidnapping has been staged,” said the prime minister, who assured authorities are still looking for more information to determine who the real culprits are.
“There was a great disaster yesterday. It was like an earthquake that happened in Galette Chambon in Ganthier. (…) It is the foundations of the land, the foundations of Haitian society that are collapsing,” Jouthe complained.
At least 10 people, including seven Catholic religious, were kidnapped in Galette Chambon on Sunday morning by the armed group known as the base of the “400 Mawozo”, which is terrorizing this area about 20 kilometers from Port-au-Prince, from a number of years ago.
Among the victims were two French subjects who were traveling with the rest of the group in a convoy that would install a new priest when they were ambushed by the kidnappers, who demand a million dollars in exchange for their release.
Violence, kidnappings and attacks by armed gangs have increased dramatically in the country in recent times, as authorities focused on organizing the referendum to change the constitution scheduled for June, as well as scheduled presidential and parliamentary elections in September.