Fake Police Officers Kidnap Americans in Haiti, Prompting Renewed Travel Warning

Kidnapping Surge in Haiti Prompts New U.S. Embassy Warning

Kidnappers posing as police officers are increasingly targeting victims in Haiti’s capital, prompting the U.S. Embassy to issue an urgent security warning to Americans in the region. The alert comes amid a sharp rise in ransom abductions, particularly in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince.

According to embassy officials, criminals are now impersonating law enforcement to carry out abductions. In response, U.S. authorities are urging American citizens to limit unnecessary travel, avoid traveling alone, and inform others of their movements and expected return times.

“Do not drive alone,” the embassy notice emphasized, reiterating that Haiti remains under a Level 4 – Do Not Travel advisory, the State Department’s highest warning level.

This latest security alert follows just weeks after the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince notified Americans of ongoing security operations north and south of the compound and in the Croix-des-Bouquets area after reports of heavy gunfire. Those incidents were serious enough to halt all movements of U.S. government personnel.

The security situation in Haiti has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Armed gangs now control large portions of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, according to both the State Department and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The violence has created a humanitarian crisis and severely disrupted daily life for Haitians.

Croix-des-Bouquets, specifically mentioned in the recent warning, has long been considered a stronghold of the notorious 400 Mawozo gang. This criminal organization made international headlines in 2021 when it kidnapped 16 American citizens, including five children, who were working with the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries.

That high-profile kidnapping led to serious legal consequences for some gang leadership. Joly Germine, a 34-year-old from Croix-des-Bouquets, was sentenced to life in prison last December for orchestrating the abduction. According to the Justice Department, the victims were returning from an orphanage when they were taken hostage.

Kidnapping has become a major revenue source for Haiti’s criminal groups, with business owners, aid workers, and foreign nationals typically targeted due to perceptions they can pay substantial ransoms. The practice has plagued Haiti for years, but security experts note the current surge represents a significant escalation in both frequency and boldness of tactics.

The worsening security crisis has profound implications for Haiti’s already fragile economy and governance structure. International organizations have struggled to provide humanitarian assistance in areas controlled by gangs, while ordinary citizens face daily threats of violence, extortion, and abduction.

For Americans in Haiti, the embassy recommends maintaining a high level of vigilance, staying informed about security developments through local media, and following all guidance from U.S. officials. The embassy has specifically warned Americans to avoid the areas mentioned in security alerts and to be wary of anyone claiming to be law enforcement, as imposters are actively conducting kidnappings.

Security analysts note that the tactic of impersonating police is particularly concerning as it undermines public trust in legitimate law enforcement at a time when Haiti desperately needs to strengthen its security institutions.

The ongoing violence in Port-au-Prince reflects the broader challenges facing Haiti, which has struggled with political instability, natural disasters, and economic hardship in recent years. International efforts to stabilize the country have shown limited success, with armed gangs filling the power vacuum in many neighborhoods.

As the situation evolves, U.S. officials continue to monitor developments closely while strongly discouraging travel to Haiti for any non-essential purposes.