The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday said it had charged Jean Pelice, also known as “Zo”with hostage-taking for his role in the kidnapping of 16 American missionaries last year.
In a statement, the department accused Pelice, an alleged member of the 400 Mawozo gang, of taking part in the kidnapping of the Christian missionaries on October 16, 2021.
The development came as Haiti on Thursday commemorated the anniversary of the murder of President Jovenel Moise, whose killing created a power vacuum and allowed the country’s gangs to expand their territory through a continuing wave of violence.