Armed men in Haiti’s capital seize a top security official in rare high-level abduction
The abduction is the highest-ranking kidnapping in years and comes as gangs control about 70% of Port-au-Prince, the United Nations said.
- On Thursday, armed men kidnapped James Boyard, cabinet director of the Defense Ministry and inspector general of Haiti's police, in Bourdon, Port-au-Prince. He is the highest-ranking official abducted in Haiti in recent years.
- Boyard, a political scientist, had been tasked with rebuilding Haiti's armed forces and assessing the National Police to implement reforms. His work focused on stabilizing the nation's security leadership.
- Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, noted that "a person of this rank clearly has a fairly important security detail," suggesting the abduction required insider collaboration. The operation's sophistication indicates careful planning.
- It remains unclear who carried out the abduction or whether a ransom has been requested. Authorities have not identified the perpetrators, leaving key details unconfirmed.
- The Viv Ansanm gang coalition controls an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince, a territorial dominance that underscores the severe security risks officials face even in areas once considered safe. Boyard's abduction reflects gangs' expanding reach.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Haitian Gangs abduct high-ranking defense official
A group of armed men abducted a high-ranking member of the Haitian government in one of the few places thought to be safe in the country’s capital, a source told The Associated Press on Saturday. The source said the group abducted James Boyard, the cabinet director of the Defense Ministry, who was a respected security expert and also served as inspector general of the country’s police, CBS News reported. Boyard was tasked with rebuilding Haiti’…
In Port-au-Prince, while the attention of some of the population is focused on the World Cup and Haiti's historic return to the world stage, insecurity continues to dictate its law in several neighbourhoods of the capital. Abduction cases are increasing in recent weeks, recalling that armed groups remain active despite government announcements on the restoration of security.
Armed men in Haiti’s capital seize a top security official in rare high-level abduction
Armed men in Haiti have kidnapped James Boyard, cabinet director of the Defense Ministry and a highly respected security expert who also serves as inspector general of Haiti’s police, a person with the knowledge of the situation said Saturday.
Armed men have kidnapped a high-ranking Ministry of Defense official in Haiti. The victim is James Boyard, considered one of the country's most important security experts. According to local media, Boyard was abducted on Thursday in the Bourdon district of the capital, Port-au-Prince. That area is considered one of the few relatively safe parts of the city. It is estimated that gangs control about seventy percent of the city. It is still unclear…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Top security expert kidnapped by armed men in Haiti
Local reports claim James Boyard was seized on Thursday
berlingske.dk
Kristeligt DagbladIn an unusual move, a cabinet minister has been abducted in Haiti. The UN chief will visit the country next week.
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