Gang Coalition Abducts Two Journalists in Port-au-Prince as Violence Escalates Against Haitian Media Personnel

Haitian reporters Osnel Espérance and Junior Célestin kidnapped in Port-au-Prince. Rising violence targets media workers amid gang-police clashes.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 14, 2026, 11:19 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Haitian Times

Field Reporters Seized During Active Conflict Zone Coverage

The landscape of independent journalism in Haiti faced a severe blow on Friday as two prominent reporters were forcibly taken by armed militants in the lower districts of the capital. Osnel Espérance of Radio Uni FM and Junior Célestin of Radio Television Megastar were conducting field reporting when they were intercepted by members of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition. The abduction occurred near the Stade Sylvio Cator, an area currently characterized by high intensity friction between state security forces and organized criminal elements. This double kidnapping serves as a grim reminder of the total lack of immunity granted to members of the press navigating the city's contested zones.

Allegations of Informant Activity Fueling Targeted Abductions

Preliminary reports circulating through local social media channels suggest that the kidnappers may have accused the journalists of serving as informants for the Haitian National Police. These accusations reportedly surfaced after the reporters were observed filming near gang controlled territories during active police operations. While the police have not officially verified these claims, the narrative highlights the precarious position of media workers who are often viewed with suspicion by non state actors. The affiliation of the captors with the Village de Dieu group, led by FBI wanted figure Johnson “Izo” André, adds a layer of international concern to the recovery efforts.

Veteran Radio Director Targeted in Narrow Apartment Escape

The pressure on the Haitian press corps was further amplified by a violent home invasion attempt targeting Marvel Dandin, the respected director of Radio Kiskeya. On Thursday night, approximately seven armed individuals attempted to breach Dandin's residence in the Pétion Ville district, utilizing firearms to strike the building's infrastructure in an attempt to reach his bedroom. Dandin noted that the attackers displayed a specific knowledge of his living quarters, suggesting a planned assassination or kidnapping attempt. The veteran journalist survived the encounter but described the psychological impact of the targeted assault as humanly difficult to endure.