Journalist Roger Claudy Israël Abducted Amid Escalating Gang Violence in Haiti

Roger Claudy Israël, a prominent Haitian journalist and the owner of RC FM radio station in Mirebalais, was abducted along with his brother Marco during a wave of gang violence that struck the town in late March 2025. The incident occurred amid a series of coordinated attacks by the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, which has intensified its campaign of terror in central Haiti, taking advantage of the country’s deteriorating security situation.

In a disturbing video shared by the kidnappers, Israël and his brother were shown handcuffed and threatened with lynching. The gang accused them of being affiliated with rival groups—allegations widely seen as unfounded and part of a broader tactic to silence media voices and sow fear. The footage has drawn national and international condemnation, raising serious concerns about the growing impunity with which gangs are operating.

Israël’s abduction marks a dangerous escalation in threats against Haitian journalists, who have increasingly become targets in the country’s lawless environment. His case is part of a larger pattern of violence where gangs not only attack civilians but also aim to suppress independent reporting and public accountability.

Media advocacy organizations such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and local watchdogs have condemned the attack. They have called on authorities to act swiftly to secure the journalist’s release and to restore safety for media professionals across the country. According to RSF, at least 13 journalists have been killed in Haiti since 2022, while many more have faced threats, harassment, and forced displacement.

The assault on press freedom comes as the Haitian government continues to struggle with weakened law enforcement and political instability. The power vacuum has allowed gangs to exert significant control over urban centers and transportation routes, severely limiting journalists’ ability to report safely and freely.

As efforts to locate Roger Claudy Israël and his brother continue, his abduction highlights the dire risks facing Haitian journalists and the urgent need for both national and international action to protect press freedom in the country.