YouTuber’s Interview Mission Takes a Dark Turn
American YouTube personality Addison Pierre Maalouf, known online as YourFellowArab or simply “Arab,” was abducted while attempting to conduct an interview with ‘Barbecue,’ a former high-ranking police officer turned gang leader who currently holds sway in Haiti.
Maalouf, who hails from Atlanta, traveled to Haiti to interview Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, the leader of the G9 Family and allies gang, which has asserted control over parts of Haiti.
According to a report from the New York Post, Maalouf was taken captive by members of the 400 Mawozo gang on March 14th and is reportedly being held in confinement, possibly within a cage. The 400 Mawozo gang, as detailed by the think tank and media organization InSight Crime, is a rival group to the G9 Family and operates under the umbrella of G-PEP.
YourFellowArab’s Haiti Kidnapping
The 400 Mawozo gang is demanding a ransom of $600,000 for Maalouf’s release, of which $40,000 has already been paid. However, they are insisting on additional funds before releasing him. Initially, Maalouf’s inner circle chose to keep his kidnapping under wraps, but the news has since come to light.
“Lalem, a fellow YouTuber and close friend, shared on X, ‘We attempted to keep it confidential for two weeks, but the news has now spread everywhere. Yes, Arab has been abducted in Haiti, and we’re actively working towards his safe return. We anticipate his release soon.'”
Maalouf’s final video was recorded at a hotel in Haiti, where he cautioned his audience about the perilous conditions in the country.
According to the UN rights office, gang-related violence claimed the lives of 4,451 individuals and left another 1,668 wounded last year. Just in the first three months of 2024, up until March 22, 1,554 fatalities and 826 injuries were reported. The report detailed widespread sexual violence, including instances of women being coerced into exploitative relationships with gang members, as well as rapes of hostages and women who witnessed their spouses being murdered before them.
Maalouf’s Abduction and the Perilous Reality of Gang Control
In his video, Maalouf also highlighted that the capital, Port-au-Prince, is “entirely under the control of gangs.” Despite securing what they believed to be safe passage, he cautioned that the presence of a single armed gang member wielding an AK-47 could easily lead to unforeseen complications.
Routledge asserts that Maalouf arrived in Haiti accompanied by his “fixer,” Sean Roubens Jean Sacra, with the intention of documenting the ongoing riots in the country. Additionally, Routledge was the first to report that Maalouf is being held captive in a cage in the eastern suburbs of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.
“He is located,” Routledge stated, suggesting that Maalouf’s whereabouts are known. Furthermore, Routledge criticized the US government for what he perceives as insufficient efforts to assist US citizens, specifically referencing Addison Pierre Maalouf, who holds residency in the United States.
The US State Department designates Haiti as a “Do not travel” country due to significant security concerns. The department warns that kidnapping is prevalent, with US citizens often becoming victims. In a travel advisory, the department emphasizes the safety and security of US citizens abroad as its top priority. The advisory strongly advises against travel to Haiti, reiterating the message for US citizens to refrain from visiting the country.
