Armed men kidnap high-ranking security official in Haiti

Armed men have kidnapped James Boyard, the chief of staff to Haiti's defense minister and inspector general of the police, in the capital, Port-au-Prince. This abduction is reportedly the highest-ranking in Haiti in recent years. Boyard's wife and six-year-old daughter were also taken, and a ransom has been requested. Boyard, a respected security expert, was involved in rebuilding Haiti's armed forces. Analysts note an increase in kidnappings in previously safe areas, with gangs targeting individuals with dual nationalities and public officials, potentially for higher ransoms or to deter attacks on gang-controlled territories.

James Boyard, the cabinet director of Haiti's Defence Ministry and inspector general of the police, was kidnapped by armed men in the capital on Saturday. Boyard is a highly respected security expert and his abduction marks the highest-ranking official to be taken in recent years in the gang-controlled country. The kidnapping was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly. The article does not provide information on the motive for the kidnapping.