Haitian gang threatens kidnapped Christian missionaries

The leader of a Haitian street gang, which has kidnapped seventeen missionaries and family members, is threatening to murder them unless their $17 million ransom demand is paid in full.

By James Blears

The ultimatum comes from Wilson Joseph, the self-styled leader of the “400 Mawoza” gang.

In a chilling, ranting and menacing social media post he threatens: "I swear by thunder if I don’t get what I’m asking for, I will put a bullet in the heads of the Americans."

He also threatens Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Joseph and Police Chief Leon Charles, saying: "You guys make me cry tears. But I’m going to make you cry blood."

Prayer and fasting

The missionaries from the Christian Aid Ministries were kidnapped last Saturday, as they were returning from an orphanage they’re helping to fund.

One of them is a Canadian Citizen. The rest are US Citizens. Five of them are children, including an 8-month-old baby, who are facing this death threat.

Their Ohio-based group is calling for fasting and constant prayer, in the midst of this rapidly worsening crisis.

Desperate Haitian situation

Washington has sent a group of FBI and State Department experts to combine concerted round-the-clock efforts with Haitian authorities, trying to secure the release of the hostages, and bring them to safety.

The overall situation in Haiti has significantly worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July, and then the 7.2 earthquake in August.

Due to the ongoing kidnapping ordeal, life in the Caribbean nation is volatile, precarious and highly unstable.

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