Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe was dismayed on Monday by the sharp rise in kidnapping cases in the country, while calling the abduction of 12 people during the “earthquake” the magnitude of an “earthquake”. weekend, among them seven religious.
During a press conference the leader stated that “yesterday was a dark day for the entire Haitian population. Twelve people were abducted.”
“We have realized that all segments of the population are victims,” he said, and presented his sympathies to the Catholic Church, Protestants and all educated victims of this crime, while denouncing the lack of respect that has occurred in recent times towards religious.
Police have been instructed to identify the location where the kidnappers are hiding their victims to release them unconditionally and without delay, the official said, adding that authorities must leave the criminals out of action.
A call to fight insecurity
“Hence the need to launch a vibrant call to all segments of the population, to all of Haitian civil society, to organized groups, to those who do religion, to those who do politics … Whether they are in power or in power. ‘Opposition, I extend my hand for them to come and reflect together to know what we will do with the country reaching that level,’ Jouthe said.
The Haitian Prime Minister has called for a common front among all sectors of national life to fight the growing insecurity in the country, marked, in particular, by the proliferation of kidnappings, massacres and attacks by armed gangs. .
“This call that I make to all sectors of national life is not a political call … I am addressing you, political parties, chambers of commerce, cults (Catholics, Protestants …) I ask for your help and support. I know no one who is not a victim of insecurity in Haiti, “he said.
Through this call, the second president of the Caribbean nation says he wants to talk to these sectors: “We need to sit down and discuss security. Stress is enough to kill the entire population,” he said.
He also admitted that the Haitian government has some areas are neglected in the face of criminal activity and, although the Ministry of Justice is working to increase the number of troops, these add up to 15,000, when there should be 25,000.
This means that “the police have no presence in every corner of the Republic.” “We are not satisfied with our performance within the government and at the level of the Police. The Government is aware” of the situation.
The kidnapping is directed
The available information “makes us believe the kidnapping is targeted,” noted the prime minister, who assured that authorities are still looking for more information to determine who the real culprits are.
“Yesterday there was a great catastrophe. It was like a tremor that happened to Galette Chambon in Ganthier. (…) It is the foundations of the country, the foundations of Haitian society, that are collapsing,” he said. Jouthe complained.
At least 10 people, including seven Catholic religious, were abducted on Sunday morning in Galette Chambon by the armed group known as the base of the “400 Mawozo”, which frightens this area, about 20 kilometers from Port-au-Prince. , for some years.
Among the victims were two French nationals who were moving alongside the rest of the group in a convoy that was to install a new rector when they were ambushed by the kidnappers, demanding a million dollars in exchange for their release.
Violence, kidnappings and attacks by armed gangs have increased dramatically in the country in recent times, while authorities have been focused on organizing the referendum to amend the constitution, scheduled for June, as well as scheduled presidential and legislative elections. for September.