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

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

March 19, 2025 at 08:15 am

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. ( 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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