Haiti: Religious organization announces July 27 kidnapping of two US citizens near Port-au-Prince

Event

A religious organization that operates a school and conducts charitable activities in Haiti announced that two US citizens were kidnapped on the morning of July 27 from the organization's campus near Port-au-Prince. According to the organization, the victims are the director of the organization's wife, who serves as the school's nurse, as well as the couple's child. The organization did not immediately release further information about the kidnapping or whether a ransom demand had been made.

Context

The threat of kidnapping in Haiti is extreme, fueled by the presence of heavily armed gangs and the poor economic and security situations in the country. Although kidnappers are most likely to target locals, foreign nationals are also targets. The most common types of kidnapping in Haiti include basic, opportunistic kidnapping for ransom, express kidnapping, and virtual kidnapping. Foreign victims are usually released unharmed and relatively quickly; however, local victims face a threat of injury or death during confinement. The kidnapping threat is most acute in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien.

Advice

Exercise a high degree of vigilance in the Port-au-Prince area due to the threat of attacks and kidnappings. Do not discuss plans and routes publicly. If operating in the area in the long term, vary routes and times of travel and ensure the use of secure transport. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations.