Families of kidnapped Haitian journalists demand proof of life, their release

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Families and employers of two kidnapped Haitian journalists are pleading for their release and demanding proof of life, four days after the men were abducted while reporting in downtown Port-au-Prince.

Osnel Espérance of Radio Uni FM and Junior Célestin of Radio Télé Megastar were kidnapped March 13 near the national soccer stadium, Stade Sylvio Cator in downtown Port-au-Prince, where they had gone to cover clashes between police and criminal gangs amid rampant violence. Since then, relatives say they have received no contact, no ransom demand and no official update from authorities — deepening fears fueled by rumors that the journalists may have been killed.

At a press conference on March 16 in Delmas 83, Espérance’s fiancée, Rosemanie Herneste, fought back tears as she appealed directly to the kidnappers.

“I started calling him around noon, and I still haven’t heard from him,” she said. “If he is dead, there is no need to hide it from us. If he is alive, let us know.

“If he is dead, I demand justice. But if he is still alive, I beg you to release him.”

The journalist’s sister, Françoise Espérance, also made a public appeal — not to Haitian authorities, but to leaders of the powerful Viv Ansanm, a gang coalition designated by the United States as a terrorist organization.

“If he is alive, give us a sign of life,” she said. “We can no longer endure this.”

Célestin’s relatives were not present at the press conference but joined calls for the journalists’ safe release.

Kidnapping amid escalating violence and growing risks for journalists

The abduction comes as Haiti’s security crisis continues to worsen, with armed groups controlling large parts of Port-au-Prince and targeting civilians, police and journalists.

The Viv Ansanm coalition — which includes the 5 Segond gang based in Village de Dieu — is suspected of involvement, according to Danielo Fequière, director general of Radio Uni FM. The group is led by Johnson “Izo” André, who is wanted by U.S. authorities.

The two journalists were reporting near the stadium when they were taken.

Their disappearance follows another recent incident targeting the press: armed men attempted to break into the home of veteran and renowned journalist Marvel Dandin, director-general of Radio Kiskeya.

Media leaders say the kidnapping reflects a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing journalists.

Genson Jean-Baptiste, news director at Radio Télé Megastar, rejected any suggestion that the journalists were aligned with police or political actors.

“Journalists do not take sides,” he said. “Their role is to inform the public.”

Danielo Fequière, general director of Radio Uni FM, criticized the lack of response from authorities more than 72 hours after the kidnapping.

“We are calling for a swift investigation,” he said. “Journalists have suffered too much.”

International watchdogs have also raised an alarm. Reporters Without Borders says Haiti has faced an unprecedented media security crisis since 2022, with multiple journalists killed or kidnapped.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported at least six kidnappings of journalists in 2023, with additional cases in 2024, including the abduction of reporter Valéry Pierre in Artibonite.

Silence deepens anguish

For families, the absence of information is the most painful.

Herneste said she repeatedly called Espérance the day he disappeared, but he never answered. Messages went undelivered.

“I have received no good news about him,” she said.

The lack of communication — unusual in many kidnapping cases where ransom demands are quickly made — has heightened anxiety and speculation.

Families and media leaders are now urging both Haitian authorities and armed groups to provide answers — and, above all, proof that the journalists are still alive.

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