Haiti, a nation long plagued by political instability and gang violence, faced a new shock with the kidnapping of six Catholic nuns. This alarming incident took place in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s teeming capital, further underscoring the country’s precarious security situation.
The nuns, belonging to the Congregation of St. Anne, were traveling by bus when they were abducted. The archbishop of Port-au-Prince confirmed the incident, which occurred in an area known for gang activity. The Haitian Conference of the Religious, a Catholic Church-affiliated group, voiced deep concern over the increasing number of kidnappings, urging Haitians to pray for the victims’ safe return.
The kidnappers, though not yet identified, are suspected to be part of the notorious Grande Ravine and Village de Dieu gangs. These groups have tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince, with an estimated control of about 80% of the city. The United Nations reported that gangs were responsible for around 3,000 kidnappings and nearly 4,000 deaths last year alone.
The impact of gang violence has been severe, with reports of houses set ablaze in the Solino area and a staggering death toll over recent days. The situation has led to violent protests across Haiti, with calls for the ouster of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The U.S. State Department has designated Haiti as a “do not travel” country in response to the escalating violence.
This is not the first time clergy members have been targeted in Haiti. In 2021, five priests and two nuns were kidnapped in similar circumstances, highlighting the dangerous environment in which religious figures operate.