FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 17, 2021

Media contact: 

e: jeanette.lenoir@mail.house.gov (Clarke)

c: 202.480.5737

Washington, D.C. – Today, co-chairs of the House Haiti Caucus and Caribbean Caucus released the following statement regarding the release of the remaining 12 captured U.S. and Canadian missionaries in Haiti:

“We are profoundly grateful and relieved to learn that the final 12 hostages held in Haiti, who were abducted more than two months ago, were safely found yesterday. With their release, all 17 of the missionaries representing Christian Aid Ministries are able to return to their homes. These individuals, five of whom are children, ventured into Haiti for a noble cause: helping people in need. We wish them well as they recover from the trauma of the past two months, and we thank them for their dedication,” said the co-chairs. “Though this terrible chapter has concluded, the tragic conditions that have struck Haiti throughout the past year and enabled lawlessness of this degree persist. U.S. policy concerning Haiti must be rooted in building upon a partnership that will continue to promote democracy, human rights, and security throughout the nation. It is our hope and intention that efforts to support a Haitian-led democratic government’s stabilization and reemergence take priority for this administration. To prevent further tragedies, it is paramount we reimagine our approach and policies to supporting our Haitian neighbors.” 

###