Haiti’s former secretary of state for public security, Reginald Delva, has warned that the armed gangs are better equipped and appear to be more organised than the National Police of the country.

This Delva said as he spoke on the increase in kidnappings in Haiti.

Since the start of 2021, The Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH) says there have been more than 782 kidnappings for ransom. Delva noted that the gangs strike where and when they want.

The kidnapping of foreign missionaries that occurred on October 16 is said to have highlighted the volume of criminal activity within the country. The October 16 kidnappings consisted of one Canadian man and 16 American who were taken by the 400 Mawoza gang.

The gang had demanded US$17 Million in ransom but, since the kidnapping, five persons have been released.

The former secretary of state believes the gangs hold a psychological advantage over the society.

Delva, however, says the leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, Joseph Joseph Wilson, whose alias is ‘Lanmò Sanjou’, is an extremely dangerous individual. He noted that, despite being wanted by law enforcement, Wilson performs acts of humanitarianism by freeing hostages who are in poor health.

CARDH coordinator Gédéon Jean estimates that gangs control 60 per cent of Haiti’s territory.