Haitian Gang Leader Threatens To Kill Kidnapped US Missionary, White House: We'll Do What We Can

Illustration of a Haitian police security patrol. (Wikimedia Commons/Cristian Borquez)

JAKARTA - A Haitian man who identified himself as the leader of a gang that kidnapped a group of American and Canadian missionaries has said he will kill 'this American' if he doesn't get what he needs, in a video uploaded to YouTube.

The speaker in the video, wearing a purple suit, is identified as a man known in Haiti by the alias Lamo Sanjou, the leader of the 400 Mawozo gang that authorities say was behind the kidnapping of the missionaries over the weekend.

Sixteen United States and one Canadian missionaries, including five children, are on a trip organized by Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries. The missionaries were not present in the video.

Reuters could not independently confirm the veracity of the video or when it was made. The United States Department of State did not respond to a request for comment on its authenticity.

"If I don't find what I need, these Americans, I'd rather kill them all, and I'm going to put a big gun at each of them's heads," the man in the video says.

Meanwhile, Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Simply told Reuters this week the kidnappers were demanding $1 million per person for the missionaries' release.

The missionary seizure has focused global attention on Haiti's horrific kidnapping problem, which has worsened amid an economic and political crisis in the Caribbean nation that has led to increased violence.

The video includes footage of what appear to be five dead people lying in coffins, described by the man as "fallen soldiers," blaming their deaths on police chief Leon Charles.

"Leon Charles made me cry, gentlemen. When it's my turn I cry, and when I make you cry, I will make you cry tears of blood," he snapped.

Haitian media outlet Le Nouvellite on Thursday said Charles had submitted his resignation. A spokesman for Haitian police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Separately, the White House said on Thursday it would do all it could to help missionaries abducted in Haiti.

"We will do everything we can to help resolve this situation," said White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Meanwhile, Christian Aid Ministries said it was aware of the video but would not comment until hostage negotiators determined that such a statement would not jeopardize the group's well-being.

To note, the 400 Mawozo started as petty local thieves and grew into one of Haiti's most feared gangs, taking control of the countryside east of the capital Port-au-Prince, according to security experts.

Haitian gangs have continued to expand their territory in recent years, and have grown bolder since the July assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Their leaders, most notably Jimmy Cherizier, leader of a coalition of gangs called the G9, have taken on an increasingly public role, offering extensive interviews broadcast online and at times threatening politicians publicly.

When Prime Minister Ariel Henry attempted on Sunday to preside over a ceremony commemorating the death of Haiti's co-founder, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the gang opened fire until his delegation withdrew to hold a ceremony elsewhere.

Cherizier, who goes by the alias 'Barbecue', later appears in a white suit and makes a flower offering at the scene of Dessalines' murder, replacing the prime minister.