Recently, a video showing the alleged leader of a dangerous gang that recently kidnapped several Christian missionaries has been shared on social media.
Although CBN News has not independently confirmed the authenticity of the video, a senior State Department official told reporters that the video was legitimate, according to reuters.
“If you are a kidnapper, your job is to say those kind of things,” the official said. “We need to work with our Haitian law enforcement partners and the families and the institutions to try and move this process forward to a safe resolution.”
The man who self-identifies as the leader of the gang known as 400 Mawoz which kidnapped 17 Christian missionaries, appeared recently in a video reporting that he would kill them if he did not receive what he is demanding.
Known in Haiti by the alias Lamo Sanjou, the man assured “May a lightning strike me,” the man says “If I don’t find what I need, these Americans, I’d rather kill them all, and I’ll unload a big gun in the head of each of them,” he added.
The recording shows the man identified as Joseph Wilson, the apparent leader of the criminal group, dressed in a purple suit, a hat and a large chain on his neck.
The man also threatened the country’s prime minister and the head of the Haitian national police chief Leon Charles for his “fallen soldiers.” In the video you can see footage of what appear to be five dead men in coffins while the man making the comments.
“Leon Charles made me cry, gentlemen. When it was my turn, I cried my eyes out, and when I make you cry, I will make you cry tears of blood,” he said.
RELATED ARTICLE: Haitian gang demands $17 million to release kidnapped American missionaries
Earlier this week, authorities reported that the group had requested, for the release of the hostages, 1 million dollars for each of them; a total of $17 million.
At the moment, it was not clear if they were also including the five children who are part of the evangelistic group, where the youngest of them is only 8 months old.
The Christian Aid Ministries organization, for which the missionaries work, has thanked all those who have cried out to God for the fast release of the believers, and has made a special request of prayer for the kidnappers, so that they can proceed to repentance and reach salvation.
The leader of the 400 Mawozo gang that police say is holding 17 members of a kidnapped missionary group is seen in a video released saying he will kill them if he doesn’t get his demands. Authorities said that the gang was demanding $1 million per person. https://t.co/LZcNexrSOR
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 21, 2021
#Haiti
17 American missionaries kidnapped in Haiti by gang➡ The leader of the “400 Mawozo” gang (Joseph Wilson) threatened in a video to kill all the kidnapped hostages if the Americans did not pay the $17 million ransom pic.twitter.com/iY7zfEvJhf
Crazy. Here is leader of #Haiti‘s 400 Mawozo gang / death squad “Lanmò san jou” (Death without days) out in public. He says if he doesn’t get his $17 million ransom, he will kill the christian missionaries. He accused the regime of owing him back pay. #Haiti pic.twitter.com/ki2jXtB0PP
— Madame Boukman – Justice 4 Haiti ???????? (@madanboukman) October 21, 2021
— World News (@ne23614114) October 21, 2021
Source: AP NEWS/World News