Two Haitian Journalists Kidnapped by Gangs in Port-au-Prince

March 15, 2026 – Haiti –

Two Haitian journalists were kidnapped in Port-au-Prince while reporting on the security situation in the capital, highlighting the growing dangers facing media workers amid escalating gang violence in Haiti.

The journalists, Osnel Espérance and Junior Célestin, were abducted on March 13, 2026, in downtown Port-au-Prince by armed men believed to be affiliated with the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, according to local media reports. The two reporters were covering developments related to insecurity in the city when the attackers took them.

Espérance works for Radio Uni FM, while Célestin is associated with Radio Television Megastar, both outlets that provide local news coverage in Haiti. Following the kidnapping, media organizations and colleagues expressed concern for their safety and called for their immediate release. Pérez Jocelyn, chief executive of Radio Uni FM, publicly urged the kidnappers to free the journalists and respect press freedom in the country.

The incident underscores the severe security challenges facing journalists operating in Haiti, particularly in the capital, where armed gangs control significant areas and frequently engage in kidnappings, extortion, and attacks on civilians. Reporters covering crime, politics, and social unrest often face intimidation or violence while attempting to document the country’s worsening crisis.

Media advocates say the abduction of Espérance and Célestin reflects a broader pattern of threats against journalists working in Haiti’s volatile environment. In recent years, gang activity has intensified in Port-au-Prince, forcing many media outlets to scale back operations or limit reporting in high-risk areas.

Press freedom groups and local media organizations have condemned the kidnapping and called on Haitian authorities to take urgent steps to secure the journalists’ release and improve protections for members of the press. They warn that the continued targeting of reporters undermines the public’s access to reliable information about the country’s political and security situation.

The case has drawn attention to the precarious conditions under which Haitian journalists operate, where reporting on insecurity or gang activity can place them directly in harm’s way. Advocates say ensuring journalists’ safety is critical to preserving independent reporting and maintaining public access to information amid profound instability in Haiti.

Reference –

Two Haitian journalists kidnapped by armed gangs in downtown Port-au-Prince

https://lenouvelliste.com/en/article/265240/insecurity-two-journalists-kidnapped-in-port-au-prince