A Haitian security official has been kidnapped by armed men in Port-au-Prince, sparking urgent calls from the UK for the Commonwealth to intervene. The official, whose identity has not been released, was seized from his vehicle late last night by a group of heavily armed assailants. Witnesses report hearing gunfire before the car was driven away.
The kidnapping comes as Haiti grapples with a deepening security crisis, with gang violence displacing thousands and the government struggling to maintain order. The UK government, which has been pushing for a coordinated Commonwealth response, described the abduction as 'a grave escalation' and urged member states to support Haiti in restoring stability. For Haitians facing soaring food prices and a crumbling economy, this latest attack on state authority is another blow.
The cost of living has risen sharply, with basic goods like rice and cooking oil becoming unaffordable for many. Workers in the capital report that the constant threat of violence makes it impossible to earn a living. 'We cannot even go to the market without fear,' said a market trader in Port-au-Prince.
'The government is not protecting us.' The kidnapping highlights the regional inequality that the UK has pledged to address through the Commonwealth, but critics argue that words must be matched with action. Labour unions in Haiti have called for international intervention to secure safety and economic stability.
The Commonwealth is expected to discuss the crisis at an emergency meeting this week.
