CNN: Two of the 17 American hostages released in Haiti
According to IRNA, the American television network CNN reported on Sunday evening local time that we learned that two hostages have been released in Haiti. Thank God. We can provide only limited information, but we can report that the two released hostages are safe and secure.
“While we are pleased with this news, we are still concerned about 15 others who have not been released,” the statement said.
According to CNN, in October, a group of 16 Americans and a Canadian citizen were taken hostage by a Haitian criminal group called “400 Maozo” while driving northwest of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Among them are one infant, two children aged three and six, and two adolescents.
According to the report, US and Haitian officials have not yet commented on the release of the two hostages.
US and Haitian officials have generally remained silent on talks with the hostages. They demanded $ 1 million for each person’s release.
Kidnappings for extortion are widespread and often rampant in Haiti, targeting the rich, the poor, the old and the young. According to the local human rights organization in Haiti, the increase in crime has been accompanied by political instability in the country, with kidnappings increasing in the months following the July assassination of President Juanel Moyes in July.
Haiti has been in a state of political turmoil for years, and the abduction of rich and poor alike is commonplace and alarming.
The Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, is witnessing an increase in violence, with some speculating that criminal gangs control about half of the city. Security in the country has been weakened by a political collapse, and two years ago, protesters called for widespread corruption to oust President Juanel Moyes.
Political unrest in Haiti intensified with the assassination of the president at his home last July. With his death, a handful of remaining officials have clashed with each other over control of the government, accusing each other of involvement in the plot.
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