Three hostages, including Stéphanie Paultre, director of Haiti’s National Office of Partnership in Education (ONAPE), were released on November 7 after nearly two months of captivity in the Artibonite Department. Political activist Jacques Délice confirmed the release, stating that Paultre and the other two individuals had been freed by the Kokorat San Ras gang and were being escorted to Gonaïves.
The release was reported to occur in Gros-Morne, with Délice, who is associated with Paultre, observing that the former hostages were now safe. He indicated he could not confirm the ransom amount paid for their freedom, stating, “I am unable to confirm the amount paid in ransom for their freedom. For now, we are escorting the hostages who have left the Gros-Morne area to Gonaïves.”
As of the time of reporting, the Haitian National Police (PNH) had not officially confirmed the hostages’ release. Féquière Casséus, a police spokesperson for the Artibonite Department, stated he was still awaiting information from the families of the hostages. “No police source has released this information. We are waiting for the family members so that we can inform you about the hostages’ release,” Casséus noted.
This incident occurred within a broader trend of kidnappings in Haiti, particularly highlighted by attacks on September 6 and 7. Journalist Wesly Renaud Jean was abducted in Delmas 31, while Paultre and lawyer Caleb Jean-Baptiste were kidnapped the following day after attending a school year opening event in nearby Ennery. Two police officers assigned to Paultre’s security detail and her driver were also taken.
While Paultre and the two others were released, Jean-Baptiste remains in captivity. Délice expressed uncertainty regarding the reasons for Jean-Baptiste’s continued detention, indicating that his family has reportedly made multiple ransom payments without success. “I don’t know the main reason why the bandits are refusing to release lawyer Caleb Jean-Baptiste,” Délice commented.
Accusations against Jean-Baptiste have intensified scrutiny around his kidnapping. Wilson “Lanmò San Jou” Joseph, leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, claimed in a video that Jean-Baptiste was involved in financial transactions related to the release of Germine “Yonyon” Joly, a former gang leader extradited to the United States and convicted for a previous kidnapping of U.S. citizens.
The ongoing insecurity in the Artibonite region highlights the dangers posed by armed groups, who have increasingly targeted residents and travelers. Despite police and United Nations-backed efforts since early October to quell the violence, including raids on gang strongholds, residents continue to face threats from these criminal organizations.
