The U.S. State Division on Thursday confirmed that two U.S. residents have been kidnaped in Haiti.
“I can affirm the kidnapping of two U.S. residents in Haiti. We’re in common contact with Haitian authorities and can proceed to work with them and our U.S. Authorities interagency companions, however I don’t have every other particular updates to supply at the moment,” State Division spokesperson Vedant Patel said throughout a briefing.
Jean-Dickens Toussaint and his spouse, Abigail Michael Toussaint, have been reportedly kidnapped on March 18.
The couple, from Tamarac, Florida, have been on their solution to Leogane in Haiti to go to household. However they and one other particular person have been snatched off a public bus within the Port-Au-Prince space of Haiti, and by no means made it to their vacation spot.
The gang that kidnapped them are demanding $200,000 per particular person as a ransom, in accordance with kinfolk.
“How are we ever going to provide you with that cash?” Nikese Toussaint, the sister of Jean-Dickens Toussaint, said in a cellphone interview with The Related Press on March 27.
She famous that the household is in contact with the FBI, which helps with the case.
For the reason that couple was kidnapped, Jean-Dickens Toussaint has solely been capable of make two transient calls to the household. The household was advised that he and his spouse are tied up.
Family members of the Toussaints are caring for the couple’s little one, who simply turned two on March 28.
Haiti has been stricken by gang violence and kidnappings for a few years.
In accordance with the United Nations, there have been at least 277 kidnappings reported in Haiti for the reason that begin of 2023, with at least 101 kidnappings reported within the first two weeks of March alone.
Gangs in Haiti are recognized to focus on each Haitian residents and foreigners for ransom cash. The kidnappings are sometimes financially motivated, with studies saying gangs are believed to have made hundreds of thousands from ransom funds. A number of nations have issued journey warnings for Haiti because of kidnapping considerations.
The Related Press contributed to this report.