Armed gunmen kidnapped Haiti security chief James Boyard in Port-au-Prince

The abduction in Bourdon stunned residents and raised alarms gangs operating in supposedly safe areas. Investigators probe motives and possible inside cooperation.

In Haiti, a high-profile incident unfolded: armed men abducted James Boyard, the director of the Defense Ministry’s Office and a highly respected security expert who also serves as Inspector General of the Haitian Police, according to sources familiar with the situation.

He is one of the highest-ranking officials who has been kidnapped in the Caribbean region in recent years, where gangs dominate.

A person with knowledge of the case, who cannot speak publicly it, confirmed the kidnapping to journalists.

Local media report that Boyard was abducted on Thursday in Bourdon, one of Port-au-Prince’s districts considered relatively safe. It is estimated that around 70% of the capital is under the control of the powerful gang coalition Viv Ansanm, which the United States designated as a foreign terrorist organization in May last year.

Boyard, who is also known as a political scientist, was involved in plans to rebuild the Haitian Armed Forces and participated in the National Police assessment aimed at reform.

It is unknown who exactly is involved in the kidnapping or whether ransom demands were made.

A person of such rank undoubtedly has a fairly serious security detail.

According to Da Rin, Boyard’s kidnapping likely signals a well-planned operation and may have required cooperation with close security personnel. He also noted that such incidents are becoming more frequent in Port-au-Prince neighborhoods previously considered safe; criminals sometimes wear police uniforms and stop drivers under the guise of fake operations.

Da Rin added that gangs abduct people with dual citizenship and are targeting public figures. Such actions may indicate a drive to obtain a higher ransom and to pressure authorities in regions controlled by gangs, where they hold hostages.

Amid rising kidnappings in recent years, Haiti has also seen attacks on journalists and international missionaries. According to a UN report, from December 2025 through February 2026 there were at least 267 kidnappings, mostly of men. In 2025, 1,268 kidnapping cases were recorded, almost 40% less than the year, which saw 2,058 cases, the report says.

The current trend points to a prolonged threat to Haiti’s security and underscores the need for intensified monitoring and international partnership to counter gang networks that undermine the country’s stability.