Armed men in Haiti’s capital seize a top security official in rare high-level abduction (opens original article in a new tab)

Armed men in Haiti kidnapped James Boyard, a high-ranking security official, in a rare high-level abduction in Port-au-Prince, highlighting escalating gang violence and targeting of officials.

• Armed men in Haiti kidnapped James Boyard, a top security official and cabinet director of the Defense Ministry.
• The abduction occurred in Bourdon, a relatively safe area of Port-au-Prince, where 70% of the capital is controlled by the gang coalition Viv Ansanm.
• Analysts suggest the kidnapping was well-planned and may involve collaboration with someone close to Boyard's security detail.
• Gangs in Haiti have increasingly targeted safe areas and public officials, with some victims taken to gang-controlled territories like Village de Dieu.