Senior Haitian security official, family kidnapped in Port-au-Prince
Key Points(5)
- According to Haitian media reports and information confirmed by the Associated Press, Boyard and his family were intercepted by heavily armed men while traveling along the road connecting Bourdon and Lalue, an area generally regarded as a high-security zone in the capital.
- The six-year-old child, who was abducted alongside her parents, is a United States citizen.
- Police sources told local media that investigators suspect the kidnapping was carried out by the Ti Bwa gang, led by Christ-Roi Chéry, also known as "Chrisla." Authorities initially had limited information about the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
- However, reports indicate that the kidnappers subsequently issued a ransom demand for the family's release, although the amount sought has not been disclosed.
- The Ministry of Defense has not publicly commented on the case or provided details regarding any ongoing operations.
Inspector General James Boyard of the Haitian National Police (PNH), who also serves as chief of staff to Haiti’s minister of defense, was kidnapped along with his wife and six-year-old daughter on Thursday, June 11, in what is being described as one of the most significant abductions of a government official in recent years.
According to Haitian media reports and information confirmed by the Associated Press, Boyard and his family were intercepted by heavily armed men while traveling along the road connecting Bourdon and Lalue, an area generally regarded as a high-security zone in the capital.
The six-year-old child, who was abducted alongside her parents, is a United States citizen.
Police sources told local media that investigators suspect the kidnapping was carried out by the Ti Bwa gang, led by Christ-Roi Chéry, also known as "Chrisla."
Authorities initially had limited information about the circumstances surrounding the abduction. However, reports indicate that the kidnappers subsequently issued a ransom demand for the family's release, although the amount sought has not been disclosed.
The Ministry of Defense has not publicly commented on the case or provided details regarding any ongoing operations. Security experts note that such silence is common in high-profile kidnapping cases, as authorities seek to avoid compromising negotiations or rescue efforts.
"This is a very high-ranking official," said Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the International Crisis Group. "A person of this rank usually receives significant police protection."
Da Rin said the kidnapping appeared to have been carefully planned and may have involved information from someone familiar with Boyard’s security arrangements.
He added that gangs in Haiti have increasingly targeted public figures and individuals with dual nationality, often seeking larger ransom payments while simultaneously discouraging security operations in gang-controlled areas where hostages may be held.
The kidnapping comes amid escalating insecurity across Haiti, where armed gangs continue to expand their influence despite ongoing efforts by Haitian authorities and international partners to restore order.
According to Da Rin, gangs have previously taken kidnapping victims to Village de Dieu, a neighborhood controlled by the powerful 5 Segond gang led by Johnson André, better known as "Izo." The area was recently targeted during a police operation.
Kidnappings remain a persistent threat in Haiti. A United Nations report found that at least 267 people were abducted between December 2025 and February 2026, the majority of them men.
In recent years, gang groups have targeted a range of high-profile victims, including Haitian journalists, religious leaders and foreign missionaries, underscoring the growing reach and sophistication of criminal networks operating throughout the country.
