Haitian journalist, lawyer and government official kidnapped within 24 hours  

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Three public figures were kidnapped in Haiti within a day, including journalist Wesly Renaud Jean, lawyer Caleb Jean-Baptiste and Stéphanie Paultre, director general of the National Office of Partnership in Education (ONAPE).

Jean, a journalist with Radio Télé Métropole, was kidnapped in Delmas 31 on Sunday, Sept. 6. The following day, Paultre and Jean-Baptiste were abducted in the Gros-Morne area of the Artibonite department, according to multiple local news reports. Two police officers assigned to Paultre’s security were also reportedly taken in the Artibonite incident.

The cases have drawn renewed attention to the risks faced by journalists, legal professionals and government officials as armed groups continue to carry out kidnappings in the capital and provincial communities.

A recent case that has also drawn attention is that of James Boyard, the police inspector general and chief of staff to the Minister of Defense, who was kidnapped in June and remains in his captors’ hands, according to the latest information.

Jean’s kidnapping prompted calls for his release on social media and concern among members of Haiti’s media community.

“If the kidnappers’ goal is to demand a large ransom, they may have targeted the wrong person, as the journalist is clearly not wealthy,” Anderson Mackenson Guillaume, a digital creator, said in a Facebook post. 

Guillaume said the kidnapping illustrated the dangers facing Haitians as criminal groups continue to target people regardless of their profession or economic circumstances. 

Joana Dorcéus, another Facebook user, also called for the Haitian journalist’s release.

“It wasn’t long ago that Wesly Renaud Jean was telling me, ‘Come work; your country is waiting for you,’” Dorcéus said in her post. “Those in control of the country, please release him. Some people choose to stay despite everything.”

The circumstances surrounding the three kidnappings and the whereabouts of the victims had not been publicly confirmed by Haitian authorities as of this writing. Haitian news outlets reported that Paultre, Jean-Baptiste and the two police officers were taken in the Artibonite, while Jean was abducted separately in Delmas— a few miles northeast of downtown Port-au-Prince.

The Artibonite kidnapping occurred as Paultre was returning from activities marking the start of the 2026-2027 school year in Ennery, according to local reports. Some reports attributed the abduction to Kokorat San Ras, an armed group operating in the region, although the circumstances and responsibility had not been independently confirmed.

Haitian lawyer fingerpointed by gang leader

Jean-Baptiste’s kidnapping has generated additional concern following accusations made by 400 Mawozo gang leader Wilson “Lanmò San Jou” Joseph in a video released Tuesday. Joseph accused the lawyer of receiving $120,000 and guns in connection with efforts to secure the release of gang leader Germine “Yonyon” Joly, who was extradited to the United States and former leader Germine “Yonyon” Joly, who was extradited to the United States and convicted for organizing the 2021 kidnapping of 16 US citizens.

Joseph also alleged that Jean-Baptiste received $170,000 from Vitel’Homme Innocent, another Haitian gang leader wanted by the FBI, and made other accusations involving alleged payments from gang figures.

“If the guys who captured him were not too far away, I would certainly want Caleb Jean-Baptiste transferred here,” Joseph said.

The Haitian Times could not independently verify the allegations or obtain evidence that would substantiate or refute them.

Kidnapping spree amid increase in gang activity and violence

The latest cases come amid a broader pattern of kidnappings and other abuses by armed groups across Haiti. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) reported that at least 81 people were kidnapped for ransom between April and June, up from 57 during the first quarter of 2026 — a 42% increase. 

Still, BINUH said the figures likely undercount the true number of kidnappings because many families negotiate directly with abductors rather than report cases to authorities.

The report found that 63% of the documented kidnappings during the second quarter occurred in the West Department, followed by 27% in Artibonite, 7% in the Northwest and 3% in the Centre Department. Victims included business owners, senior government officials and off-duty police officers.

The kidnappings occurred as the country was also experiencing widespread gang-related violence. BINUH recorded at least 1,408 people killed and 656 injured in the last quarter. Gang attacks accounted for 55% of all people killed or injured during the quarter.

“The population continues to bear an unacceptable toll from violence,” BINUH chief Carlos Ruiz Massieu said after the report was released.

The U.N. office has also continued to warn that gangs are expanding their influence beyond the capital. In the Artibonite, BINUH documented attacks on residents, farmers and members of self-defense groups. In August, a gang attack in Kenscoff killed at least 47 people and resulted in dozens of abductions, underscoring the ability of armed groups to operate beyond traditional strongholds.

The latest kidnappings and escalation of gang violence also come as Haiti moves toward presidential and legislative elections scheduled for Dec. 13. The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has continued preparations for the vote, including voter registration and candidate registration. The council’s electoral calendar states that implementation depends on an acceptable security environment and sufficient financial resources.

Security remains a central challenge to the electoral process. The CEP has acknowledged that violence and gang control could complicate the organization of voting, while political groups have raised concerns about other technical and administrative problems affecting the electoral calendar.

But also a major concern is the security of candidates, election workers, journalists and voters preparing for an electoral process that requires movement across communities where armed groups continue to exercise influence.

For now, the cases involving Renaud Jean, Paultre and Jean-Baptiste underscore the broader reach of Haiti’s kidnapping crisis — from the capital to provincial roads — while the whereabouts and condition of the victims remain unclear.

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