PM Ariel Henry condemns gang violence in Haiti, threatens imprisonment and death

In a recent address, Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry condemned the recent increase in gang violence and abductions. He assured Haitians that the country is not going out of fuel, notwithstanding the critical shortages. Henry's speech, which was broadcast on Friday, was the first time the prime minister has acknowledged these issues in public since the abduction of 17 members of a U.S.-based mission group on October 16. Haiti is experiencing a spike in gang-linked kidnappings that police are fighting to control.

"If they do not stop their iniquity, the law will refer to them," Henry stated in his address. He said the only solution for these gangs is imprisonment or death if they do not stop their illicit activities.

The speech comes at a particularly turbulent time for the country. Henry became Prime Minister just three months ago, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise on July 7. A few weeks later, an earthquake with a magnitude 7.2 hit Haiti, destroying the country's south.

The leader of the 400 Mawozo gangs that abducted the missionaries, including five children, said he would kill them if the ransom of 17 million dollars was not paid. The gang is seeking $ 1 million per person.

In a statement released on Thursday, Christian Aid Ministries, which had organized a trip to Haiti for the group of missionaries, said they hoped the hostages would be released soon, despite the deteriorating political position in the country.

Henry's speech also came days after a widespread strike swept schools, businesses, and public transport in the capital, Port-au-Prince and beyond to counter the shortage of fuel and the country's deteriorating economic and security situation.