Two Haitian Journalists Remain Held by Viv Ansanm Gangs Two Weeks After Kidnapping

Two Haitian journalists — Osnel Espérance of Radio Uni FM and Junior Célestin of Radio Television Megastar — remained in gang captivity as of late March 2026, having been kidnapped by Viv Ansanm-affiliated gangs on approximately March 14, 2026 in Port-au-Prince. Their continued disappearance highlighted the profound threat gangs pose to press freedom and civil society in Haiti. Haiti's press freedom has deteriorated sharply since 2021, with dozens of journalists killed, kidnapped, or forced into exile. The cases drew condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA). With the gang coalition controlling most of the capital, independent journalism in Port-au-Prince has become nearly impossible.