American YouTuber Kidnapped in Haiti After Trying to Meet Gang Leader 'Barbecue'
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 abduction of 17 Western missionaries in 2021.
Fellow streamer "Lalem" confirmed Maalouf's kidnapping on social media on Friday, writing,
Tried keeping it private for 2 weeks, but it’s getting out everywhere now, Yes Arab has been kidnapped in Haiti and we’re working on getting him out. Love y'all he’ll be out soon [heart emoji]
Lalem also shared Maalouf's last video online, filmed from his hotel in Haiti, where he expressed apprehension about being in the country. In the video, Maalouf said Port-au-Prince is "completely run by gangs" and foreshadowed the situation by saying,
All it takes is one stupid gang member holding an AK-47 for one thing to go wrong.
Maalouf was initially being held for a staggering $600,000 ransom, while reportedly, the demand has decreased, and $40,000 has already been paid.
Another YouTuber, Miles "Lord Miles" Routledge, disclosed that he had direct communication with Maalouf using his captors' phone. Routledge revealed details of the kidnapping, writing that Maalouf and his fixer, Sean Jean Sacra, were kidnapped in Haiti while filming riots. The ransom was demanded, then negotiated downward, but an attempted payment failed.
Routledge, a British citizen, said that despite knowing Maalouf's location, the U.S. government's assistance has been limited. Routledge reports that Sacra chose to stay with Maalouf despite being offered release and that Maalouf maintains a positive attitude while being held in a cage on the eastern outskirts of the Capital city, Port-au-Prince.
On Friday, Routledge wrote on social media,
Arab went in with Sean Roubens Jean Sacra, a fixer in Haiti, who Arab met up in the Dominican Republic. Sean has also been kidnapped. Sean was the fixer for the excellent Youtuber @ChrisMustList and many others. Arab entered the country 10 days ago to film the riots.
24h [hours] they were both kidnapped. Less than 2 days later I heard from Arab as he was permitted to talk to his friends through the kidnappers' phones. The ransom was $600k, then it went down to $300k, then it went down further to 5 figs [figures].
The U.S. gov and state department is very hands off on helping, even though Arab is a U.S. citizen. Arab has been kept in a cage in a place on the eastern outskirts of the Capital, Port-au-Prince. His location is known.
There was an attempt to pay the ransom but it went wrong and, truthfully, everyone was out of their depth to help Arab. An exchange went bad / done incorrectly and Arab was not released. Arab is still in excellent spirits.
Arab has stated that despite the hardships, he's going to come out with a great video after this and he should be out in no time. Sean was actually offered to be let go but he's a great guy and doesn't want to leave Arab on his own, so he has decided to stay.
Routledge warned against raising, donating, or attempting to pay the ransom money, writing,
If it is not coming from my mouth, @ChrisMustList's mouth, @Tommygreturns2's or Arab's own social media, controlled by his family, do not trust the information. We will give updates when we can and will help any way we can.
Do not start a GoFundMe or donate to one, there are a lot of scams out there and nobody who isn't aware of what's going on should try to raise and deliver ransom money.
All we can do is pray for Arab and Sean, may Christ look after them. I am taking steps to help Arab get out, I know the grim reality of what could go wrong in Haiti. I have volunteered to go in to do the exchange with 3 mercs, there is other help that has volunteered itself.
The State Department confirmed it is “aware of reports of the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Haiti” but did not provide specifics. Haiti has been under a "Do not travel" advisory for U.S. Citizens since July of last year.
In a statement, a State Department spokesperson said:
The US Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas.
Routledge wrote that he doesn't "appreciate" those criticizing Maalouf's dangerous expedition and attempt to interview the Haitian gang leader, writing:
...he was trying to bring good content about a collapsing part of the world. He does not need this right now.
On March 10, Maalouf posted about his travel plans and the fatal risks, writing,
Going on another one of those trips
If I die, thanks for watching what I’ve put out. If I live, all glory to God.
Haitian media reported that Maalouf often "investigated" gangs and cartels and called him a "fearless professional," writing:
It is important to emphasize that Adisson Pierre Maalouf was a fearless professional, accustomed to investigating the heart of gangs and drug cartels to inform the public.
The State Department emphasizes the travel restriction, saying, "We reiterate our message to US citizens: Do not travel to Haiti."
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