Two Haitian journalists abducted amid intensifying violence in Port-au-Prince

Miami, March 17, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Haitian authorities to find and ensure the safe return of Haitian journalists Osnel Espérance and Junior Célestin, who were abducted Friday while reporting in the capital city Port-au-Prince, according to Haitian media outlets Le Nouvelliste and VantBef Info. 

Espérance and Célestin, who work respectively for Uni FM and Megastar, two independent radio stations, were on an assignment near a gang-controlled neighborhood when they were intercepted by armed individuals affiliated with the 5 Second gang, according to news reports.

“Violence in Haiti is at an intolerable level, making it nearly impossible for journalists to do their jobs safely. It is vital that Haitian authorities help bring reporters Osnel Espérance and Junior Célestin home safely and restore order in gang-controlled areas,” said CPJ U.S., Canada, and Caribbean Program Coordinator Katherine Jacobsen. “This cycle of violence must end. Journalists and everyday citizens must be able to work and live without the constant threat of violence.” 

Espérance and Célestin’s abduction comes against a backdrop of intensifying violence in Port-au-Prince as Haitian police are on a major offensive against a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm (Living Together) to regain control of a neighborhood held by the gang.

The abduction occurred near positions held by the 5 Segond gang one of the larger gangs in the coalition, headed by Andre Johnson, aka ‘Izo’, a notorious gang leader wanted by the FBI  for hostage taking of a US citizen in 2023. 

Rosemanie Erneste, Espérance’s wife, told reporters she hasn’t heard from him since Friday.

Journalists and human rights defenders in Haiti “are under great risk,” William O’Neill, the U.N. expert on human rights in Haiti, told reporters Monday. “Haiti is one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist,” added O’Neill, who visited Haiti earlier this month.