A Haiti gang released the remaining 12 hostages that were first abducted exactly two months ago, according to U.S. and Haiti officials and the Christian organization that sent them.
The hostages were kidnapped just east of Port-au-Prince by a violent gang, 400 Mawozo, on Oct. 16. Among the group were 12 adults and five children, including an 8-month-old. All but one Canadian were American.
The 17 missionaries kidnapped were there with Christian Aid Ministries out of Holmes County.
The Miami Herald wrote Thursday the situation was “the longest-held hostages” in the country, where kidnapping continue to happen.
“We glorify God for answered prayer — the remaining twelve hostages are FREE! Join us in praising God that all seventeen of our loved ones are now safe,” wrote Berlin-based Christian Aid Ministries in an emailed statement Thursday.
The organization has sent daily updates via email, thanking people around the world who have prayed and fasted for the release of the 17 people.
Two people were released in late November and another three people again in early December.
The gang had demanded a $1 million ransom for each person. One of the gang’s leaders threatened to kill the hostages if the ransom was not paid.
The details surrounding their release are unclear.
CAM, whose membership includes Amish, Mennonite and Anabaptist denominations, has worked in Haiti for decades as part of its global mission “to minister to physical and spiritual needs.” The organization sent missionaries and aid to 133 countries in 2020, according to its website.
The organization resumed mission work in Haiti in 2020 after a nine-month hiatus due to gang violence and political unrest.
Kidnappings have spiked in Haiti since July, following unrest from the assassination of the country’s president, Jovenel Moïse. The assassination was followed by an earthquake on Aug. 14 in the southern region of the country that killed thousands of people.
