On Friday, the recent kidnapping of an American YouTube star in Haiti by one of the gangs assuming de facto control of the island nation was confirmed by other internet personalities close to the hostage. Addison Pierre Maalouf, widely known online as YourFellowArab or simply “Arab,” left his Atlanta home and traveled to Haiti to meet and interview Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, a former police officer and the leader of the notorious G9 and Family gang. Within 24 hours of his arrival in the country, Maalouf, along with a Haitian colleague, was abducted and held for ransom by members of the 400 Mawozo gang on March 14th.
The 400 Mawozo gang (“400 lame men”), led by Joseph Wilson, known as “Lanmò San Jou,” is the largest criminal group in Haiti. This gang has established dominance in Croix-des-Bouquets and other areas through numerous kidnappings, including the high-profile…
