FBI warns Americans about visiting Haiti resulting from surge in kidnappings, violence

The FBI urged Americans to keep away from touring to Haiti on Tuesday amid the Caribbean nation’s spike in kidnappings and violence.

The company’s Miami Field Office stated that Haiti has witnessed a 300% improve in kidnappings to date this yr, in keeping with the Miami Herald, with the message particularly directed at residents of South Florida. 

“While we understand that there are strong ties between Haiti and South Florida, before traveling there one should consider the trauma and financial costs of being kidnapped not only to themselves but to their family and friends as well,” stated FBI Supervisory Special Agent Liz Santamaria.

A Haitian-American couple was kidnapped final month once they traveled to the nation to go to sick members of the family in Leogan, in keeping with Miami NBC affiliate WTVJ. The couple was kidnapped by a gang and household in Florida stated they have been held for a $200,000 ransom. 

The couple was freed and returned house final week. however the circumstances of their launch haven’t been disclosed.  

The FBI’s discover follows an current State Department Travel Advisory that warns of “kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest” within the nation.

The nongovernmental group National Human Rights Defense Network stated in a Monday report that “raids, sporadic armed attacks, and massacres against the Haitian population have intensified in the country” for the reason that starting of the yr.

Nearly 150 individuals have been killed in a battle between rival gangs from Feb. 28 to March 5, in keeping with the group, and a number of other dozen ladies and ladies have been victims of gang rapes.

Vigilantism has additionally develop into extra prevalent. Haitians unaffiliated with gangs lynched and burned 13 suspected gang members alive on Monday because the group traveled by means of a neighborhood within the capital of Port-au-Prince, in keeping with the Herald.