American YouTuber Addison Pierre Maalouf, widely known as YourFellowArab or Arab, has reportedly been abducted by a gang wielding significant power within the country. The New York Post disclosed that Maalouf, a Georgia resident recognized for his ventures into perilous locales seldom visited by tourists, ventured into Haiti aiming to interview with Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a notorious gang leader. However, within a day of his arrival on March 14, Maalouf, alongside a Haitian associate, was captured by the 400 Mawozo gang.
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The captors have demanded a $600,000 ransom for Maalouf’s release. Despite a $40,000 payment towards his freedom, the gang still demands a substantial ransom. Maalouf, who boasts over 1.4 million YouTube subscribers, is now at the center of a dire situation that has captured the attention of his online community. Lalem, another streamer, and Maalouf’s friend, publicly confirmed the kidnapping after maintaining silence for two weeks in hopes of a resolution. Lalem’s announcements on X provided insight into the ongoing efforts to secure Maalouf’s release. Additionally, Lalem shared Maalouf’s last video before his abduction, which depicted the YouTuber outlining his cautious approach to traveling in gang-dominated Port-au-Prince.
Further unsettling details emerged from Miles “Lord Miles” Routledge, another YouTuber, who claimed contact with Maalouf. Routledge revealed that Maalouf and his guide, Sean Roubens Jean Sacra, are detained under harrowing conditions yet remain hopeful. Notably, Sacra had the opportunity for release but chose to stay in solidarity with Maalouf. Routledge also voiced frustration with the perceived inaction of the US government and the State Department in securing Maalouf’s freedom, critiquing their hands-off approach despite Maalouf’s US citizenship, as reported by NDTV.
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In response, the State Department acknowledged awareness of the kidnapping but refrained from further comment, underscoring the priority of US citizens’ safety and advising against travel to Haiti.
“Kidnapping is widespread, and victims regularly include U.S. citizens. Kidnappers may use sophisticated planning or take advantage of unplanned opportunities, and even convoys have been attacked. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings. Victim’s families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members.
Violent crime, often involving the use of firearms, such as armed robbery, carjackings, and kidnappings for ransom that include U.S. citizens are common. Mob killings against presumed criminals have been on the rise since late April. Travelers are sometimes followed and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. Robbers and carjackers also attack private vehicles stuck in heavy traffic congestion and often target lone drivers, particularly women. As a result, the U.S. Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport.”