Last 12 American Hostages Released in Haiti

The remaining 12 of 17 North Americans kidnapped in Haiti in October were freed, police announced on Thursday.

"We confirm the release of the 12 people who remained," hostages, police spokesman Gary Desrosiers told AFP by telephone. "We cannot give more details at the moment."

The release happened after weeks of negotiations with the "400 Mawozo" criminal gang.

On October 16, a group of 16 Americans and one Canadian were abducted while returning from an orphanage in an area east of the capital, Port-au-Prince, controlled by "400 Mawozo," one of Haiti’s most powerful crime gangs.

Two of them were released in November, and another three were freed earlier this month.

Christian Aid Ministries, based in the US state of Ohio, has mentioned that the hostages were 12 adults aged 18 to 48, and five children ranging in age from 8 months to 15 years.

"We glorify God for answering prayer – the remaining 12 hostages are free!" the group said on its website. "Join us in praising God that all seventeen of our loved ones are now safe."

Sources reported that the kidnappers had originally demanded a ransom of one million dollars per hostage.

Accordingly, FBI agents, Haitian authorities, and the anti-kidnapping unit of the national police had been negotiating with the gang.