US charges Haitian gang leader Izo with taking a US citizen hostage

19 March 2025 - 08:15 By Reuters
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Police officers patrol after dispersing demonstrators who were calling for help from the government and security forces after gangs attacked neighbourhoods and set houses on fire in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on August 19 2024.
Police officers patrol after dispersing demonstrators who were calling for help from the government and security forces after gangs attacked neighbourhoods and set houses on fire in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on August 19 2024.
Image: REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File Photo

Prosecutors in the US have charged powerful Haitian gang leader Johnson Andre, known as Izo, with taking a US citizen hostage in Haiti, according to a statement from the US attorney's office in Washington released on Tuesday.

Andre is the suspected leader of the 5 Segond gang, which according to the unsealed criminal complaint participates in kidnappings for ransom and robberies while using the proceeds to pay for weapons and salaries for its members.



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