Barely 24 hours after his arrival in Haiti, American YouTuber YourFellowArab (or Arab) was kidnapped. Addison Pierre Maalouf, his real name, traveled from Atlanta (United States) to meet the most powerful gang leader in the country, Jimmy Chérizier, aka “Barbecue”. His armed group nicknamed “G9 and family” has been sowing terror on the island for years to take power. Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to resign on March 11.
Streamer Lalem confirmed his colleague's kidnapping to 1.5 million subscribers on X. “I tried to keep this private for two weeks, but it's out everywhere now. Yes, Arab was kidnapped in Haiti and we are working to have him released. » A ransom of $600,000 is being demanded to release the YouTube star, according to Haiti24.
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 yall he'll be out soon ❤️
— Lalem (@Lalem) March 29, 2024
Another YouTuber, Miles Routledge, known under the pseudonym "Lord Miles", claimed to have spoken to YourFellowArab using his captors' cell phone, reports the New York Post.
“If I die, thanks for looking at what I posted”
YourFellowArab's latest video shows him in a hotel in Haiti. He explains the dangers of being in the country and says he wants to go, with his team, to Port-au-Prince. A city “run entirely by gangs”. On March 11, he announced on X that he was leaving for “another trip”. “If I die, thank you for looking at what I posted. If I live, glory to God. »
This is the last video he recorded before he got kidnapped, if you have his number pls don't text him while he's in there for safety reasons. 🙏 https://t.co/JJ7y1uVjGA
— Lalem (@Lalem) March 29, 2024
According to several American media, if the United States Department of State has not formally confirmed the kidnapping of the YouTuber, it nevertheless acknowledges being “aware of information reporting the kidnapping of an American citizen in Haiti ".
In a press release dated March 22, the Quai d'Orsay warned of the "security situation" in Haiti which "still remains worrying in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince." “The risk of kidnapping remains very high, unpredictable and is currently on the rise,” it states. Any travel throughout Haiti is strictly discouraged for these reasons.