Haiti's Kidnapped Nuns: Pleas for Release Amid Rising Gang Violence

Religious leaders and Pope Francis call for an end to the 'reign of terror', criticizing the government's inaction as kidnappings surge by over 80%.

Six nuns and two others were kidnapped by an armed gang in Haiti last week, with the gang reportedly demanding $3 million for their release.
Pope Francis and the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince have both pleaded for the release of the hostages and called for an end to the violence in Haiti.
Religious leaders in Haiti have criticized the government's lack of action against the increasing gang violence and kidnappings, which they say have created a 'reign of terror'.
Kidnappings in Haiti have increased by over 80% in the last year, with nearly 2,500 people taken hostage in 2023 according to U.N. statistics.
The Haitian police force remains underfunded and overwhelmed, with less than 10,000 active officers in a country of over 11 million people.